Mandaeism Mandaeism (Mandaic language, Classical Mandaic: ),https://qadaha.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/nhura-dictionary-mandaic-english-mandaic.pdf sometimes also known as Nasoraeanism or Sabianism, is a Gnosticism, Gnostic, Monotheism, ...

, ṣauma () is a term that means

fasting Fasting is the act of refraining from eating, and sometimes drinking. However, from a purely physiological context, "fasting" may refer to the metabolic status of a person who has not eaten overnight (before "breakfast"), or to the metabolic sta ...

. Although ''ṣauma'' can refer to physical fasting, it is more often used in Mandaeism to refer to spiritual piety and abstaining from

sin In religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law or a law of the deities. Each culture has its own interpretation of what it means to commit a sin. While sins are generally considered actions, any thought, word, or act considered ...

. On some days of the

Mandaean calendar The Mandaean calendar is a 365-day solar calendar used by the Mandaean people.Drower, Ethel Stefana. ''The Mandaeans of Iraq and Iran''. Oxford At The Clarendon Press, 1937. It consists of twelve 30-day months, with five extra days at the end of ...

, Mandaeans perform light fasting. Unlike the Muslim fasting during

Ramadan Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (''Fasting in Islam, sawm''), communal prayer (salah), reflection, and community. It is also the month in which the Quran is believed ...

, Mandaeans do not completely forgo food and water for long periods. Instead, Mandaeans typically perform light fasting, such as abstaining from meat during certain ''mbaṭṭal'' (inauspicious) days.

Spiritual fasting

The

Mandaic Mandaic may refer to: * Mandaic language * Mandaic alphabet The Mandaic alphabet is a writing system primarily used to write the Mandaic language. It is thought to have evolved between the second and seventh century CE from either a cursive fo ...

term ''Ṣauma Rabba'' () refers to a kind of "spiritual fasting" in which devout Mandaeans do not partake in the vices of the world and abstain from performing sinful activities. The precepts of the ''Ṣauma Rabba'', which exemplify the Mandaean tenets of

pacificism Pacificism is the general term for ethical opposition to violence or war unless force is deemed necessary. Together with pacifism, it is born from the Western tradition or attitude that calls for peace. The latter involves the unconditional refus ...

, are mentioned in Book 1 and Book 2, Chapter 1 of the ''

Right Ginza The Right Ginza () is one of the two parts of the Ginza Rabba, the longest and the most important holy scripture of Mandaeism. The other part of the Ginza Rabba is the Left Ginza. Summaries of each book (or tractate), based mostly on Häberl ( ...

''. Both have eight precepts that are identified with different parts of the body.

Right Ginza Book 1

Book 1 of the

explains that the Great Fast is not about food and drink but about moral and spiritual discipline. (Note that the following text is not directly quoted from any translated versions of the Ginza Rabba.) #Fast with your eyes by avoiding deceptive glances and ill intentions. #Fast with your ears by not listening to things that do not concern you. #Fast with your mouth by speaking truthfully and avoiding lies. #Fast with your heart by rejecting hatred, jealousy, and conflict. #Fast with your hands by refraining from violence and theft. #Fast with your body by staying away from forbidden relationships. #Fast with your knees by refusing to worship Satan or false idols. #Fast with your feet by not pursuing things gained through deceit. :The Great Fast must be kept until one’s departure from this world.

Right Ginza Book 2

Book 2, Chapter 1 of the

presents a similar set of instructions (not text directly from the translated ginza): #Fast with your head by staying firm in faith and praising the Lord. #Fast with your eyes by avoiding deceptive glances. #Fast with your mouth by rejecting false and harmful speech. #Fast with your ears by not listening to slander or deception. #Fast with your heart by staying pure in thought and faithful in action. #Fast with your body by keeping away from forbidden relationships. #Fast with your hands by not harming others. #Fast with your knees by refusing to kneel before false gods and perishable things. :The Fast was given for your benefit—remain steadfast until the end of your life.

References

{{Mandaeism footer Religious fasting Mandaean practices Mandaic words and phrases Codes of conduct Religious ethics

Spiritual fasting

Right Ginza Book 1

Right Ginza Book 2

See also

References