R. Ishmael Confronts a Samaritan

They gave Jacob [all their foreign gods and the rings that were in their ears, and Jacob buried them beneath the terebinth tree that was near Shechem] (Genesis 35:4). R. Ishmael, the son of R. Yosi, went up to pray in Jerusalem. And he passed by that Palatinus [Mount Gerizim], and a certain Samaritan observed him there. The Samaritan asked him, “Where are you going?” R. Ishmael answered him, “I am going up to pray in Jerusalem.” [The Samaritan] said to him, “Isn’t it better for you to pray on this hallowed mountain rather than on that pile of ruins?” He [R. Ishmael] answered him, “I shall tell you what you [Samaritans] are similar to: a dog that desires a carcass, since you know that idols are buried under it. As it is written: Jacob buried them [beneath the oak that is near Shechem] (Genesis 35:4). Therefore, you [Samaritans] lust after this [mountain].” They said, “This [man, R. Ishmael] seeks to carry away [the idols].” [The Samaritans took counsel for the purpose of killing R. Ishmael], but he got up and fled during the night.