RT Article
T1 The Mandaeans and Heterodox Judaism
JF Hebrew Union College annual / Jewish Institute of Religion
VO 54
SP 147
OP 151
A1 Cohn-Sherbok, Dan 1945-
LA English
PB College
YR 1983
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1650088604
AB 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.
K1 Diasporajudentum
K1 Mandäer