... Most prominent among them were the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes. This paper addresses the Essenes sect, a sect that isolated itself in the Judean desert. ... After a thorough survey of this subject, we conclude that the Essenes was one of the most interesting sects to ever exist in the land of Israel.
Background: Who Were the Essenes? ...
The Essenes were another group, or as some referred to them: “the Judean desert sect. ... Since the archeological dig of the Dead Sea in 1946, the word Essenes has become familiar throughout the world. ... In the days of Judah the Maccabbee there were differences between the Essenes and the Hasmoneans. Judah sought to achieve religious and political freedom together, while the Essenes felt that religion was sufficient. As long as there was danger of Hellenism to Judaism, the Essenes supported the Hasmoneans, but when the great days of Jonathan the son of Matthew arrived and there was no longer danger to Judaism the Essenes viewed the Hasmoneans as a dirty and repulsive kingdom, which started to resemble the Hellinist kingdoms that the Essenes had always avoided. This situation reached its peak when the Essenes decided to separate from the Hasmoneans in two camps: (1) The extremists whose whole target was moving beyond the Pharisees to discover and reveal the meaning, essence and detail of the religious commandments; (2) The moderate Essenes who remained loyal to the Torah in the way of the traditional Pharisees. The major group of the Essenes was the extremist group that tried to reach greater purity and holiness, and this is the group that we refer to as Essenes. Accordingly, the Essenes moved away to the desert, lived a life of holiness and purity, and developed small communities that lived in mystery.
The Meaning of the Word “Essenes”
There are many opinions of the meaning of the word “Essenes. ... Essenes in Aramaic is “Asia,” which means to cure, heal, medicine. ... We can accept this because it is known how much the Essenes were strict with their purity and bathed frequently in ritual baths (mikvaot). ... Because the Essenes were isolated and mysterious who performed their rituals in private, and are referred to in the Mishnah in connection with the secret chamber of the Temple. We cannot find any clear connection between the Essenes and the Temple, but researchers relate them to the Tzinuim (modest) who are referred to in the Talmud as a unique sect. This claim however is also rebutted because no clear or visible connection can be made between the modest and Essenes. ... This explanation is for the most part accepted and evidence is presented from the “first Chasidim” who are mentioned in the Talmud, and who appear to be the Essenes.
The Pharisees and the Essenes
Historically, the Pharisees and the Essenes have much in common. ... Josephus, for example, writes that the Essenes believed that the soul has eternal life and they rejected the claim of bodily resurrection. ... Although the Essenes were similar to the Pharisees, they separated because they believed the Pharisees were impure. The Essenes refused to live in Jewish cities and therefore became wanders in the Judean mountains, and it is there where they searched for their God and their purity. Additionally, the Essenes considered animal sacrifice of high importance. We think that the Essenes were against eating animals, and believed that animals can only be killed for religious sacrifice.
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