On Three Interesting Cults at Neapolis in Samaria / על שלושה פולחנים מעניינים בניאפוליס-שכם

Several Neapolis coins depict scenes that have so far been considered enigmatic, and past descriptions by various scholars have been replete with question marks. Considering that during the relevant period (the 3rd century CE), this city was inhabited by Samaritans, or rather Hellenized Samaritans, the author interpretes these scenes as follows: One coin depicts two dovecotes with Mount Gerizim in the background — relating to a well-known Judeo-Samaritan ritual. A second coin depicts a Decanus (an innovation in numismatics) — reflecting the concept of the 36 Decans (righteous persons responsible for the fate of the world — a concept also accepted by the Samaritans; one of the Decans was believed to be the Messiah). The third coin bears a more complicated scene which, the author concludes, represents a ceremony taking place on Mount Gerizim during which the story of the Sacrifice of Isaac was acted out (in Samaritan tradition, Mount Gerizim is Mount Moriah).