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Jesters in Religion Practically every religion I've come across has a place for the jester or holy fool. This stuff has expanded enough to become a section in its own right... |
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Jesters in Christianity Interestingly, much of the Fool's persona may be found in the Christian ideal of a character neither corrupted by the world nor impressed by worldly status or authority. English painter Cecil Collins, in his book The Vision Of The Fool, argued that 'The Saint, the artist, the poet and the Fool are one. They are the eternal virginity of spirit, which in the dark winter of the world, continually proclaims the existence of new life, giving faithful promise of the spring of an invisible kingdom, and the coming of light.' Notable examples: Jesus Christ. In the words of Cecil Collins: 'The Fool is innocent, spontaneous and joyful, even Christ-like. As a result he may be ridiculed by conventional society, although he actually has the sight which they have lost.' St Francis of Assisi, who was famously described by G K Chesterton as 'God's Tumbler', and his troubadour and companion Brother Juniper, who St Clare called the 'Jester of God', and of whom Francis said 'I would I had a forest of such junipers'. While a crowd waited to receive him in Rome, Brother Juniper was found playing seesaw with some children outside the city. St Francis's Franciscan order are known as the 'fools of God'. And, as a sideline, St Genesius of Rome, patron saint of clowns and actors, who supposedly converted while performing in a theatrical routine ridiculing Christianity. [Read more] |
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Jesters in Judaism Jewish literature is particularly rich in jester figures, who often puncture the pomposity of others or teach lessons in wisdom. There is also often an emphasis on the joy that should come with the knowledge of living in God's divine plan; therefore, the truly holy man should be joyful. 'Rabbi Baruqa of Huza often went to the marketplace at Lapet. One day, the prophet Elijah appeared to him there, and Rabbi Baruqa asked him, "Is there anyone among all these people who will have a share in the World to Come?" Elijah answered, "There is none." Later, two men came to the marketplace, and Elijah said to Rabbi Baruqa, "Those two will have a share in the World to Come!" Rabbi Baruqa asked the newcomers, "What is your occupation?" They replied, "We are jesters. When we see someone who is sad, we cheer him up. When we see two people quarreling, we try to make peace between them."' (from the Talmud, Ta'anit 22a) -the Talmud Some examples: Badchan/badkhan are wedding jesters. At any traditional Jewish wedding the badchan sings humorous verses, to warn the bride of the faults of her husband to be. Badchanim also appear in many places in Jewish holy writings. |
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Jesters in Islam Islam, especially Sufism, (the mystical branch of Islam, despised by more traditionalist Muslims) has a place for the holy fool. Islamic jesters travel on the 'path of blame', courting ridicule and abuse in order to intensify their commitment to Allah. Some examples: Nasreddin, the legendary jester of Tamerlane and Turkish folk figure, possibly a real imam in the 13th century. For more about Nasreddin click here for his entry in the Jesters in Reality: Asia section. Abu Sa'id. 'In the eleventh century, the majzub (Sufi holy fool) Abu Sa'id was the focus of constant gossip because of his erratic and "irreligious" behavior. Not only did he frequently hold sumptuous feasts, he also would wear the characteristic woolen garments of a Sufi one day, only to appear in expensive silk gowns on the next. When the local sultan had him officially investigated, Abu Sa'id promptly responded by holding another one of his feasts. The investigating committee quickly arrived at the conclusion that they were dealing not with a sybaritic impostor but a formidable spiritual teacher. All charges against him were dropped.' [source] |
