Jewish Elements in the Cologne Mani Codex

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the Jewish and Jewish-Christian (that is, in all likelihood, Elkesaite) elements in Manichaeism, with a focus on the Cologne Mani Codex (CMC). The following concepts, often closely related to Judaism, found in the CMC are discussed: the notion of “His [Mani’s] body”; “the Way” and “the Law”; “the Rest”; Mani’s “immortal” Gospel to be written down; Mani and the Ma’aseh Bereshit; the guardian angel and angels’ conduct; animated matter speaking; the Column of Glory; and some other elements. The article argues especially that Manichaeism cannot be explained by merely unravelling its supposed constituent elements. It is, above all, an original creation of Mani’s prophetic genius. In the present state of Manichaean studies, however, and in particular in the study of nascent Manichaeism, the Jewish aspects seem to deserve our full attention.