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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



SAMARITANS CAKING UNIXWENED BREAD 



The bread is made with flour quickly kneaded with water only and baked on a convex 

 disk of sheet-iron. It is identical with that used by the Bedouin and journeying peasants. 

 Since the baking apparatus is so simple and portable, the bread probably is much the same as 

 that used during the Exodus. The loaf resembles a gigantic but very thin pancake. 



the patriarchs are read. Between the 

 first. selections hymns are sung. 



A lengthy rotation now takes place : 

 Joshua's prayer, one that Samaritan tra- 

 dition asserts he was in the habit of 

 using; singing the song of Moses at the 

 Red Sea, and the "Angel's Song." The 

 main feature, however, is the clothing of 

 the high priest or his representative with 

 a silken cloth. The priest now presents 



to view one of the ancient Pentateuchs, 

 one in book form, written on parchment. 

 It is an impressive sight when these 

 white figures in the bright moonlight, 

 kneeling thrice and prostrating them- 

 selves to the ground, always toward their 

 Holy of Holies, repeat in unison, "It is a 

 night to be much observed unto the Lord 

 for bringing them out of the land of 

 Egypt ; this is that night of the Lord to 



