In the spirit of peace I wish to share what just arrived in the mail today from a book "Trajectories in Near Eastern Apocalyptic"
A Postrabbinic Jewish Apocalypse Reader, John C. Reeves; Society of Biblical literature
I will quote the most fascinating parts and provide a link to it in full. It is, in its earliest form, 8th century according to eminent
nineteenth-century historian Heinrich Graetz. It was added to over decades at least, revised even. You can read about that in the link.
Attributed to Talmud sage of the second century, a la the Sefer ha-Zohar, pseudepigraphally of course.
The Secrets of Rabbi Sim'on b. Yohai
These are the secrets that were revealed to R. Sim'on b. Yohai when he was hiding from a cave on account of Casesar king of Edom (i.e.Rome/Byzantium).
He stood in prayer forty days and forty nights, and began thusly: "Lord God, how long have will you spurn the prayer of your servant?" Immediately
there was revealed to him the secrets of the eschalon and hidden things.
He began to expound the passage "and he beheld the Kenite"(Num 24:21). When he perceived the Kingdom of Ishmael would come (and exercise dominion over
Israel), he exclaimed: "Is it not sufficient what the wicked Kingdom of Edom has done to us that we should also (suffer dominion of) the Kingdom of
Ishmael!?" Immediately Metatron the prince of the Presence(Shekhina) answered him:
"Do not be afraid, mortal, for the Holy One, blessed be He, is bringing about the Kingdom of Ishmael only for the purpose of delivering you from that
wicked one (Edom/Byzantium).
He shall raise up over them a Prophet according to His will and He will subdue the land for them; and they shall restore it with grandeur."
Before I give you the link, Isaiah 21:7 "rider of a camel" is also applied to the Prophet Muhammad (sa). This author was apparently a part of a Jewish
community of supporters very early, as it was added to over the years it has gotten long but I hope that is enough to interest you and you read this
fascinating rare 8th century Apocalypse.
Salaam on Ramadan to my Jewish, Christian brothers and sisters and all of mankind in fact I wish the same peace, just had to mention my co-Abrahamic
religions because the tradition of fasting is not unfamiliar to the Bible. We all worship Abraham's (pbuh) God, have more in common than we don't with
regards to our religions which span the globe.
Isaiah 58:3-7; Jeremiah 36:22;
Matthew 6:16
"Wherever you fast,do not look dismal like the hypocrites, they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting."
We are also advised not to show we are fasting if hungry, angry from hunger, or to let it be apparent, it is a time of joy and peace and to go without
reminds us just a little of what would happen if God didn't feed us and provide for us.
Also a time to provide for those in need. Refugees would be at the top of the list right now if you like you could even just pray for those in
conflict zones on this day who can not enjoy the peace most have.
According to Thomas McElwain in "Islam in the Bible" it occured during the 9th lunar month. I can't confirm this myself but I will not doubt the man
for no reason. If it shows we have something in common, it is good, is my point.
Full
Text S. of Rabbi Sim'on ben Yohaiedit on 27-5-2017 by Disturbinatti because: (no reason given)