ASUTA
The Journal for the Study and Research into the
Mandaean Culture, Religion, and Language.

        Volume 8                                  Special Issue                                           Online edition

Miriai
The Religion Personified

       RESEARCH DONE BY AJAE                                                              COPYRIGHT 2000

The Prayers
#149

Miriai also appears in other Mandaean writing.  In the Qolasta she appears in two hymns.  The first hymn, number #149 in Drower’s book The Canonical Prayerbook of the Mandaeans, and is prayed on Fridays.  In this hymn to saga of Mirari is condensed down to the confrontation between the mother and daughter.  The mother greets Mirari as she returns home from being at the Mandaean house of worship. Mirari ‘s home is that of the synagogue.  This is a clue that in this instance Mirari is actually representing the Jewish religion that is becoming Mandaeism.  This would fit into the Mandaean theology whereas Judaism is seen as a “fetus” not yet developed into the “full term” religion.

“At the door of the synagogue. Her mother meeteth Miriai, Miriai her mother meeteth, And she questioneth her straitly, "Whence comest thou, My daughter Miriai?… And she (Miriai) answered her…In my father's house my brothers stayed Chanting wondrous chants. At their voice, at the sound of the discourse of the 'uthras, my brothers, …!"

The “mother” which may be a symbol for the Jewish priesthood, reminds Miriai of what the Jews are saying about her.  Side by side distinctive Mandaean elements are compared to the equivalent Jewish elements.  We also see once again the idea that sex is the main cause for Mirari to leave her Jewish roots. 

“Hast thou not heard, daughter Miriai, what the Jews say about thee! The Jews say 'Thy daughter is in love with a man, She hath hated Jewry and loved Nasirutha; She hath conceived hate for the synagogue-door And love for the door of the maškna She hath taken dislike to the phylactery-band And loveth the fresh (myrtle-) wreaths. On the Sabbath she carries on work; On Sunday she keepeth her hands therefrom. Miriai hath hated the Law Which the Seven imposed (bound) upon Jerusalem' "

Miriai is harsh in her response and tells her mother that she was never in love with a man and she cannot leave what she has now knows to be the truth.  She reaffirms her commitment to Manda d-Hiia and the Mandaean faith. 

“That which I have come to love I cannot hate. That which I (now) hate, I cannot love. (No love have I) except love for Manda-d-Hiia, My Lord, who standeth by (me) and will be My Helper, lending hand and support From the Place of Darkness to the Place of Light".

I believe that this prayer is geared to those Mandaeans who had converted from Judaism.  This prayer said weekly at the very time of the Jewish Sabbath was a constant reminder of why they converted.   In addition it also serves the purpose to all Mandaeans not to convert to Judaism.

Introduction

Miriai from the Book of John
Miriai leaves Judaism
Miriai becomes a “Vine”
Miriai becomes a Mandaean Priest

The Prayers
#149
#162

A little Miriai here and there

Mary in Mandaean Literature

Conclusion

References