The Right Ginza ( Classical Mandaic : ࡂࡉࡍࡆࡀ ࡉࡀࡌࡉࡍࡀ , romanized: Ginza Yamina ) 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 .
38-459: Summaries of each book (or tractate), based mostly on Häberl (2007), are provided below. Translated excerpts are from Gelbert (2011), which is mostly based on Lidzbarski (1925), while Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021). Opening lines of each chapter are provided below, since Mandaeans often refer to Mandaic prayers by their opening lines. Book 1 contains a history of creation and of Mandaeism. The book begins with
76-527: A German translation in 1906. A critical edition was published by Häberl (2022). Book 18 is attributed to the Mandaean scribe Yahya Sam bar Sarwan. The book can be thematically divided into four parts: The list of Iranian kings given in the Book of Kings is as follows. Note that since Mandaic spellings can vary by manuscript, the transcriptions used below are often reconstructions by Häberl (2022). Afterwards,
114-456: A futile attempt to liberate him, giving birth to the seven planets and twelve signs of the Zodiac, with whom she expresses dissatisfaction. Ruha and Ptahil both play a role in creation, with each gaining control when the other's power subsides, but cannot animate mankind with a soul, despite providing him with their own mysteries, since Ruha represents the ambivalent "spirit" element rather than
152-884: Is Raza u-sidra qadmaia ḏ-šuta haita qadmaita ḏ-huat mn laqadmaia ("The Mystery and the First Book of the First Living Doctrine from the Aforetime" (or "the Very Beginning")). 2,700 lines in Gelbert (2011). The book begins with the opening lines: Book 4 is a small text connected to the story of Hibil 's descent into the World of Darkness . Before descending into the underworld , Hibil, along with Shitil and Anush , are baptized by Manda ḏ-Hayyi and Mara ḏ-Rabuta ("The Lord of Greatness"). Some parts of
190-465: Is associated with lust, uncleanness (i.e., menstrual impurity), and other negative feminine qualities. The Ginza Rabba refers to Ruha using various epithets , such as: Use of the term "Holy Spirit" for Ruha is primarily confined to polemical texts, and not found in esoteric or ritual scrolls. Other epithets mentioned in the Ginza Rabba are: Gelbert (2013) connects the name Ruha to
228-464: Is desirable, leaving only that which is worthless. Ruha, in command of her sons the seven planets , including Adonai (Shamish), sets out to build Jerusalem . Anush Uthra admonishes that 365 Mandaeans will arise in the city, but Ruha goes ahead with its construction, erecting its seven pillars . Anush preaches Mandaeism in Jerusalem and gains a following converting Jews to Mandaeism; due to this,
266-560: Is distinct from the nišimta , or incarnate soul . In Mandaeism, humans are considered to be made up of the physical body ( pagra ), soul ( nišimta ), and spirit ( ruha ). The story of Ruha in Mandaeism is one of the parallels to the Gnostic story of Sophia falling out of the pleroma . Ruha at first dwells in the World of Light , until she "falls" and bears her son Ur . However, the conflict arising from seeking to create without
304-725: Is known for his translation of the Mandaean Book of John in collaboration with James F. McGrath , as well as for his research on the Neo-Mandaic dialect of Khorramshahr , Iran. Häberl was born and raised in New Jersey , United States. He holds a PhD degree in Semitic philology from the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University . As part of his doctoral research, Häberl documented
342-676: The Mandaean Book of John . Notes on section numbering: The summaries are based on the English translation in Gelbert (2011). Charles G. H%C3%A4berl Charles G. Häberl (born June 22, 1976 in New Jersey , United States) is an American linguist, religious studies scholar, and professor. He is currently Professor of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian Languages and Literatures ( AMESALL ) and Religion at Rutgers University . Häberl's primary interests include Mandaeism , Semitic philology , and Middle Eastern studies . He
380-677: The Neo-Mandaic dialect of Khorramshahr , Iran, collaborating with Nasser Sobbi as his primary language consultant. Häberl is currently a professor at Rutgers University . From 2009 to 2012, he was the Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Rutgers University and in 2013–2019, chair of the department. He was also the Near East Regional Director for the Catalogue of Endangered Languages . In 2007,
418-518: The World of Darkness ( alma ḏ-hšuka ) or underworld . She rules the underworld together with her son Ur , the king of the World of Darkness, and her entourage of the seven planets and twelve constellations , who are also her offspring with Ur. Ruha is the daughter of Qin , the Mistress of Darkness in the first underworld. She is the ruler of the third maṭarta (watch-house or purgatory). She
SECTION 10
#1732765016658456-528: The 11 poems in Book 16 are provided below. The English translations below are from Gelbert (2011), while the Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021). Book 17 contains 2 poems. The Al-Saadi translation does not cover this book. Book 18 contains a chronology of the world plus an apocalypse. It gives a duration of 480,000 years to the world. Abraham , Noah , and Jesus are mentioned in
494-465: The Al-Saadi edition diverging from the other editions (Lidzbarski and Gelbert) from this point onward. The 5 sections are: The opening lines of the first four chapters in Book 5 are: Chapter 1: Chapter 2: Chapter 3: Chapter 4: Book 6 (8 in the Al-Saadi edition), The Book of Dinanukt ( sidra ḏ-dinanukt [ dananukt ]) is about Dinanukt , who is half-man and half-book, and his journey to
532-405: The Al-Saadi edition) is a collection of poems. Numbering differs between editions since Lidbarski's text includes 20 poems, Gelbert's includes 21 (with Gelbert's 15.18-21 corresponding to Lidzbarski's 15.17-20) and Al-Saadi's translation covers only nine. Since Mandaean priestly commentary texts often refer to hymns and prayers by their opening lines, the opening lines of each of the 21 poems (since
570-487: The Gelbert Ginza has 21, rather than 20 poems) in Book 15 are provided below. The English translations below are from Gelbert (2011), while the Mandaic transliterations are derived from Gelbert (2011, 2021). Book 16 contains 10 or 11 mostly shorter poems, depending on the manuscript version, of which Al-Saadi's translation covers four. Many are comparatively simple and straightforward. The opening lines of each of
608-572: The Jews persecute and kill the Mandaeans, leading Anush to plan to destroy the city in retribution. Ruha futilely begs Anush for a compromise, first for him not to destroy her city, then for her to be permitted to aid him in the destruction by collapsing the walls upon the Jews, killing them; Anush accepts neither plea. Although Adonai is depicted under Ruha's sway, the Haran Gawaita indicates
646-580: The Mandaean texts consider Ruha will eventually attain redemption, and merge with her dmutha (ideal counterpart) in the World of Light. Buckley notes that Ruha's insights while still in Tibil (Earth) reflect the insights of a Mandaean gnostic. In Book 6 (also known as the "Book of Dinanukt ") of the Right Ginza , Ruha makes a speech similar to the Gnostic poem The Thunder, Perfect Mind . Part of
684-588: The Mandaeans ( CP ) correspond to some hymns in Book 12 of the Right Ginza ( GR 12): Book 1 (GR 1) and Book 2, Part 1 (GR 2.1) of the Right Ginza each list several dozen commandments for Mandaeans to follow. Most commandments in GR 2.1 correspond with the commandments listed in GR 1, often with only minor wording differences. GR 1 has more commandments than GR 2.1. There are also some parallels with passages in
722-443: The Mandaeans loved Adonai while in Jerusalem until the birth of Jesus. Ruha's other interactions with lightworld envoys such as Hibil Ziwa and Manda d-Hayyi are often more positive, where Ruha is rebuked but empowered, obtaining guidelines for her own salvation. In chapter 68 of the Mandaean Book of John , Manda d-Hayyi retrieves Kanath-Niṭufta (translated by Charles G. Häberl and James F. McGrath as "Droplet Steady") from
760-623: The Persian Sasanian kings are listed: There are 7 colophons in the Ginza Rabba , including 6 in the Right Ginza . There are colophons after books 13 (for books 1–13), 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, suggesting that these had all originally been separate books before they were compiled into a single codex. Some colophons are also followed by tarik (postscripts). A few marriage hymns ( hadaiata ) in Drower's 1959 Canonical Prayerbook of
798-554: The World of Darkness, Hibil Ziwa leads Ruha out of the World of Darkness, claiming to lead her to her parents in the world above, and seals her in a world belonging to neither light nor darkness. When sealed in this world, she gives birth to Ur . Whereas Ur wishes to wage war against the World of Light, viewed in Ruha's mirror, Ruha discourages this intent. Hibil confiscates this mirror and binds Ur in chains, noting that Hayyi Rabbi had sent him in anger against Ur. Ruha sleeps with Ur in
SECTION 20
#1732765016658836-478: The World of Darkness, who remains at the outer wall until summoned further under various epithets, including Marganita-Niṭufta (Droplet Pearl) and Simat-Hayyi-Niṭufta (Droplet Life's Treasure). Buckley notes that some of these names appear as epithets of Ruha in the illustrated Diwan Abatur (an observation which had been noticed, but dismissed as a confusion, by Mark Lidzbarski ), and that the names Simat Hayyi (Life's Treasure) and Niṭufta (Drop), are names used for
874-588: The World of Light. 48 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). The book begins with the opening lines: Book 7 (9 in the Al-Saadi edition) consists of John the Baptist's words. The chapter is a compilation of proverbs and maxims. 113 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). The book begins with the opening lines: Book 8 (10 in the Al-Saadi edition) deals briefly with creation and evil, and contains Manda ḏ-Hayyi 's warnings against Ruha . 15 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). Book 9 has 2 parts. Part 1 deals with other religions and
912-485: The board of the Endangered Language Alliance of NYC. The following is a selection of monographs authored by Häberl. The following is a selection of Häberl's journal articles and book chapters. Ruha In Mandaeism , Rūha ( Classical Mandaic : ࡓࡅࡄࡀ , lit. 'spirit/breath'; also known as Namrūs or Hiwat ( Ewath ; Classical Mandaic : ࡏࡅࡀࡕ ) ) is the queen of
950-657: The book are derived from Qulasta prayers 82 and 180–188 (Drower's CP numbering). Titled The Mystery and the Book and the Commentary of the First Doctrine ( raza u-sidra u-aprašata ḏ-šuta qadmaita ) in Gelbert (2011). 31 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). Book 5 contains 5 separate prose texts. The first one, which is also the largest, deals with a journey to the Underworld. The Al-Saadi translation treats this as three separate books, leading in book numbering in
988-530: The book. It also contains lists of Pishdadian , Kayanian , Parthian , and Sasanian kings and mentions the Arab conquest of Persia . (The Al-Saadi edition includes only the deluge account, which it numbers 19.) 123 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). Also known as the Book of Kings , it has been translated at least seven times. The Book of Kings was translated into a modern European language when Schulim Ochser published
1026-480: The city Urha ( Edessa ), although this hypothesis has not been peer reviewed. Rūha bears a son called Ur with Gaf , one of the giants in the World of Darkness described in book 5 of the Ginza Rabba . She then commits incest with Ur, giving birth to the seven planets and twelve zodiacs (listed below). According to Jorunn Jacobsen Buckley , Ruha is a complex character who can not be simply portrayed as an evil archon . As part of his descent to
1064-505: The consort of Hayyi Rabbi in the World of Light. Buckley interprets a passage in the Qulasta referring to Simat Hayyi coming forth from the World of Darkness and eventually being raised to the Place of Light as referring to Ruha, noting that E. S. Drower had interpreted it in reference to Zahreil , but arguing that Zahreil never left the World of Darkness. Buckley therefore argues that
1102-635: The first ever awarded U.S. Department of Education Title VIA Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL) program grant to support instruction on Iranian studies was authored by him. He became an Anna-Maria Kellen Fellow at the American Academy in Berlin in 2016. In 2021, he was elected president of the International Linguistic Association , which publishes Word , and currently serves on
1140-420: The light-world "soul" element. Adam is made after Ptahil's image, while Hawa (Eve) is made either after Adam's image or after Ruha's, depending on account. When Adam dies and ascends to the World of Life, Ruha tempts Eve to mourn his loss, and laments her own lack of gnosis of the treasures of salvation; when Eve dies and is lead to the World of Light by Hibil, Ruha bewails that Hibil takes from her everything which
1178-639: The nature of the Godhead; a smaller part 2 deals with the Holy Unique One. Book 10 (12 in the Al-Saadi edition), The Mystery and the Book of the Radiance that Shines Forth from the Pihta ( raza u-sidra ḏ-ziua ḏ-iaqid bgu pihta ), deals with the sacrament of the bread ( pihta ) and also continues the creation story. Within the same book, Hibil and Adakas are mentioned in two different versions of
Right Ginza - Misplaced Pages Continue
1216-629: The opening line (also in Chapter 2 of Book 1): Gelbert (2011) mentions two versions of the book, namely the Gabriel Version (of Petermann) and the Ptahil Version. Book 2 also contains a history of creation and of Mandaeism. It has a total of four sections, since it also contains three small appended pieces. These books summarize many of the basic teachings of Mandaeism. Buckley (2010) considers Book 1 and 2 to be different versions of
1254-570: The opening lines: Book 12 (14 in the Al-Saadi edition), in seven parts, mixes poetry and prose and provides a basic introduction to Mandaean beliefs. Chapters 2–5 are acrostic hymns, with each stanza ordered according to a letter of the Mandaic alphabet . Book 13 (15 in the Al-Saadi edition), The Prayer of the Tarmidia to the Pious , comprises a short interim conclusion to what seems to be
1292-518: The original version of the Ginza. 38 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). The book begins with the opening line: Book 14 (16 in the Al-Saadi edition), The Book of the Great Nbaṭ ( Sidra ḏ-Nbaṭ Rba ), a prose text containing a creation myth, deals with material from Book 3 such as the various emanations . 65 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). The book begins with the opening lines: Book 15 (17 in
1330-670: The same book. Book 3 , The Book of the Living First Teachings ( sidra ḏ-šuta haita qadmaita ) or alternatively Mystery and the First Book of the Living First Speech that Was When There Were No Precedents , is the longest book in the Ginza . It is a reconstructed poem also dealing with creation themes but concentrating more on the origin of evil. Aldihisi (2008) gives an English translation and detailed commentary for Book 3. The full Mandaic title of Book 3
1368-562: The soul's descent into the physical body of Adam. 66 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). The book begins with the opening line: Book 11 (13 in the Al-Saadi edition), The Mystery and the Book of the Great Anush (Enosh) ( raza u-sidra ḏ-anuš rba ), deals with battles between the forces in the World of Light and World of Darkness led by Ruha . Since the text is difficult to interpret, Lidzbarski had originally hesitated to translate it. 145 paragraphs in Gelbert (2011). The book begins with
1406-507: The speech is given as an excerpt below. I am the Life that was from the beginning. I am the Truth ( kušṭa ) which existed even earlier in the beginning. I am radiance; I am light. I am death; I am life. I am darkness; I am light. I am error; I am truth. I am destruction; I am construction. I am light; I am error. I am blow; I am healing. I am the elevated man who is older and who
1444-477: Was there before the builder of heaven and earth. I have no peers among kings, and there is as yet no crown in my kingdom. There is no human being who can give me a message in the foggy clouds of darkness. – Translated by Buckley (2002) from Lidzbarski (1925), Right Ginza 6, p. 207, lines 34–42. Ruha can also mean ' spirit ', which is roughly equivalent to pneuma or "breath" in Greek philosophy. It
#657342