The
Essenes were one of three early Hebrew/Judaist religious societies living in and
around
Jerusalem in the mid to second century
BCE (1). The Essenes were revolting against
the new
comparatively secular rulers of the region, the Romans. The Essenes withdrew
from much of society and formed a tight-knit community and self-taught what
they considered the basic teachings and liturgy of their G-d (2).
Other sects of Jews called them "holy" and "the pious ones"
in the time of Christ.
During this period in
early Judaism, the other two major groups in power were the Sadducees and the
Pharisees. All three groups were in power until the Romans began to wipe
out most of the followers of Judaism from 70 to 68 BCE. It was during this
time that Judaism underwent a radical shift. The destruction of the temple
coincided with the massacre of the Sadducees and the Essenes after their
failed revolt against the Romans. The Pharisees, or Rabbinic society
became the major authority and leaders of Judaism, a leadership that has
continued until this day.
