The Essenes

I mentioned the Essenes yesterday, who were very interesting, but you need a little more history: Around 1000 BCE, King David (of David and Goliath fame) reuinited Israel and Judea, then captured much of the surrounding area.  Even better, his son, Solomon, was a benevolent leader, consolidating the new subjects and building the first Temple.  It was the pinnacle of Israel self-rule, ending in 722 BCE with Assyria invading.

Shortly after that,  the Book of Isaiah was written, a bit of propaganda that predicts doom for all the nations of the world that oppose God, and a prophesy that a descendant of King David -- the messiah -- will restore the nation of Israel and establish a kingdom of justice and righteousness. (Note that Isaiah doesn't specify the messiah will be divine, but that gets muddled later.)

In any case, except for the Maccabean Revolt, Israel was the subject of other empires for the next 8 centuries, during which the messianic prophesy grew, as well as much mysticism.  The annual day of atonement became the day of judgment, sealing your fate for the next year, and when the messiah came your fate would be sealed forever.  Also, it was believed that at this last day of judgment, the dead would rise again. It was an interesting story, but some people took it a bit literally.

When Rome conquered Jerusalem in 63 BCE, ending Israel's 80 years of independence, the Essenes responded by withdrawing from society entirely.  They lived in communes, including Qumran by the Dead Sea, and dedicated themselves to poverty, celibacy, charity, and benevolence. They possessed no slaves, forbade the expression of anger, and only used weapons to protect themselves. They did not marry and lived a celibate life; money, property, food and clothing were all shared. They observed the Sabbath and spent much of their time studying the Torah.

Why?  Because they believed they were the last generation of the last generations. They performed daily mikvahs (baptisms) to cleanse their sins, so they were always prepared for the final judgment.  Not surprisingly, it did not come, and a people who practice strict celibacy don't last very long.  After the destruction of the second temple in 70 CE, they aren't heard from again.

Until 1947, that is, when two Bedouins stumbled into a cave near the Dead Sea and discovered hundreds of scrolls...