What were the main beliefs of the Essenes?
Like the Pharisees, the Essenes meticulously observed the Law of Moses, the sabbath, and ritual purity. They also professed belief in immortality and divine punishment for sin. But, unlike the Pharisees, the Essenes denied the resurrection of the body and refused to immerse themselves in public life.
What is Essenes religion?
Historically, the Essenes were a Jewish sect active before and during Jesus’ lifetime — the time of the Second Temple in Judaism. They lived in communities scattered across biblical Judea and were known for their sharp asceticism and dedication.
Who were the Pharisees Sadducees Essenes and Zealots?
We learned that there were actually four different Jewish sects: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes, and the Zealots (aka the Sikarim). These different sects developed because (of course, typical Jews) people disagreed on how to practice Judaism and how to live as Jews in the Roman-controlled city.
Where did the Essenes go?
The Essenes were a separatist group, some of whom formed an ascetic monastic community and retreated to the wilderness of Judea. They shared material possessions and occupied themselves with disciplined study, worship, and work. They practiced ritual immersion and ate their meals communally.
What is the difference between Pharisees Sadducees and Essenes?
The followers of the first of which are the Pharisees; of the second, the Sadducees; and the third sect, which pretends to a severer discipline, are called Essenes. These last are Jews by birth, and seem to have a greater affection for each other than other sects have.
Is Qumran in Israel or Palestine?
Qumran (Hebrew: קומראן; Arabic: خربة قمران Khirbet Qumran) is an archaeological site in the West Bank managed by Israel’s Qumran National Park. It is located on a dry marl plateau about 1.5 km (1 mi) from the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea, near the Israeli settlement and kibbutz of Kalya.
Why did the Essenes leave Jerusalem?
According to an emerging theory, the Essenes may have actually been Jerusalem Temple priests who went into self-imposed exile in the second century B.C., after kings unlawfully assumed the role of high priest. This group of rebel priests may have escaped to Qumran to worship God in their own way.
What was the difference between the Essenes and the Therapeutae?
The main distinction between the Therapeutae and the Essenes is that the latter were anti-intellectual, while “wisdom,” Philo says, was the main objective of the Therapeutae. The Therapeutae shared with the Essenes a dualistic view of body and soul.
What did the Essenes do in ancient Egypt?
In Egypt, the Essenes were called ‘Therapeutae’, which means ‘Healer’ and is the origin of the word ‘Therapist’. Philo of Alexandria, in a book written two thousand years ago, wrote that the Essenes were not only the best healers of the body, but also of the mind and soul. In modern terms, they were ‘Holistic Healers’.
What does the Essene Church of Christ teach?
That is what Jesus called ‘Resurrection’. Like Jesus, we also teach about ‘Ascension’, which is the advancement into higher heavenly worlds as a member of The Christ Family. We teach the ancient Essene yoga and meditation practices, as well as their martial art called Zahyen.
What did the Essenes teach about reincarnation?
We teach about reincarnation, but, like the ancient Essenes, our goal is to transcend the need for required reincarnation by manifesting angelic bodies that need not die and be reborn. That is what Jesus called ‘Resurrection’.