Essenes

The Essenes were a Jewish sect that emerged around the 2nd century BCE and existed until the 1st century CE. They are best known for their strict communal lifestyle, devotion to prayer and study, and ceremonial purity. The Essenes believed in living apart from mainstream society, often in desert communities, and they followed a strict interpretation of Jewish law. They are often associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of ancient texts discovered near Qumran. The Essenes emphasized spiritual asceticism, prophecy, and the coming of a messianic age. Their beliefs and practices offer insights into the diversity of Judaism during the Second Temple period.