The Essenes

The Essenes were a Jewish religious community that existed around the Second Temple period (roughly 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE). They practiced strict ritual purity, communal living, and often withdrew from mainstream society to focus on prayer, study, and moral discipline. Some scholars believe they authored the Dead Sea Scrolls. While not mentioned extensively in historical texts, the Essenes are thought to have influenced later Jewish and Christian thought, emphasizing purity, shared property, and apocalyptic beliefs. Their lifestyle aimed to prepare for divine intervention and uphold spiritual ideals outside the societal norms of their time.