The Essenes

Question

The Essenes

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The Essenes were a Jewish sect that existed in the Second Temple Period, who believed in a Teacher of Righteousness and emphasized holy living, communal sharing, and ritual purity. They were also known for their rejection of the Temple in Jerusalem and their withdrawal from mainstream Jewish society. While they did have conflicts with the Roman Empire, they did not outright refuse to pay taxes or work with Roman governors. They did not deny the Trinity, as this concept did not yet exist in Judaism. They claimed descent from both Aaron and Moses, but not Sadok.