The Mandaeans and Heterodox Judaism
Recently there has been considerable discussion about the connection between Judaism and the Mandaean religion. Some scholars argue that the Mandaeans had their origin in heterodox Judaism; others stress affinities with other religious traditions. On the basis of rabbinic evidence which has been neg...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
HUC
1984
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| In: |
Hebrew Union College annual
Year: 1983, Volume: 54, Pages: 147-151 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
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| Summary: | Recently there has been considerable discussion about the connection between Judaism and the Mandaean religion. Some scholars argue that the Mandaeans had their origin in heterodox Judaism; others stress affinities with other religious traditions. On the basis of rabbinic evidence which has been neglected in this discussion, it is possible to find support for the contention that Judaism and Mandaeism were interconnected. In rabbinic literature of the tannaitic and amoraic periods Jewish heretical groups (minim) are often mentioned. In several texts they are described as believing in the doctrine of a heavenly Adam who is a co-partner with God in creation. Assuming that in these sources the rabbis had a single heresy in mind, it is quite possible that they are referring to the predecessors of the present-day Mandaeans who subscribed to a similar belief. Such an identification would point to a genetic relationship between Judaism and the Mandaean religion. |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Hebrew Union College annual
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