InMandaeism, ṣauma (Classical Mandaic: ࡑࡀࡅࡌࡀ) is a term that means fasting. Although ṣauma can refer to physical fasting, it is more often used in Mandaeism to refer to spiritual piety and abstaining from sin.[1]
On some days of the Mandaean calendar, Mandaeans perform light fasting. Unlike the Muslim fasting during Ramadan, Mandaeans do not completely forgo food and water for long periods. Instead, Mandaeans typically perform light fasting, such as abstaining from meat during certain mbaṭṭal (inauspicious) days.[2]
The Mandaic term Ṣauma Rabba (Classical Mandaic: ࡑࡀࡅࡌࡀ ࡓࡁࡀ, romanized: Ṣauma Rba, lit. 'Great Fast') refers to a kind of "spiritual fasting" in which devout Mandaeans do not partake in the vices of the world and abstain from performing sinful activities.[1]: 41
The precepts of the Ṣauma Rabba, which exemplify the Mandaean tenets of pacificism, are mentioned in Book 1 and Book 2, Chapter 1 of the Right Ginza. Both have eight precepts that are identified with different parts of the body.[3]