The Fruit-Covered Sukkahs of the Samaritans

Claiming descent from members of the Ten Lost Tribes who never went into exile, the Samaritans have lived in the Land of Israel since the Second Temple era. The sect has its own ancient customs, outside the rabbinic traditions that shaped mainstream Judaism. These are especially visible during Sukkot, when the Samaritans too construct and spend their time in temporary structures (sukkahs) but, as Guy Polat explains, do not cover them with branches and leaves—instead using “countless pieces of brightly colored fruit.”