2007-04-15 14:30:01 · 8 answers · asked by WillRogerswannabe 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For those that have a curious nature
www.essenespirit.com
In particular pay close attention to the section.....Jesus and essenes.
"If someone asks you what work there is to do, light the candle in their hand."
Rumi...........
2007-04-15 14:49:04 · update #1
My heart is filled with joy to see so many have responded to this question. An open heart and an open mind is quite rare is this world.
I want to thank all that responded to a question that can give so many answers to so many questions in the difficult times that we are in. GBU all.
2007-04-15 15:38:02 · update #2
Many believe both Jesus & john the Baptist were of this sect.
They are fascinating; aren't they?
They are an offshoot of the Sadducees.
2007-04-15 14:38:43 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think Augustine up there pretty much answered it. But after the Jews returned from the Babylonian exile, the period known as Second Temple Judaism, there was extensive fragmentation, what we might today call denominations. People were wrestling with what did it mean to be a Jew, to be the chosen people of God? There were basically 4 approaches that people came up with, not necessarily mutually exclusive.
There were the Sadducees, the Pharisees, the Zealots, and several communitarian groups like the Essenes. Jesus' followers (and John the Baptists) had many elements in common with the Essenes, and they are well worth studying. However, I don't think you can honestly say that Jesus WAS an Essene, any more than you can say he was a Pharisee or a Zealot. All these groups found things in Jesus' ministry to like, and things to hate. That's ultimately why he gathered so much support in the beginning and why he was later crucified.
2007-04-15 22:24:44 · answer #2 · answered by dreamed1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They lived at Khirbet Qumran. They were Essenic Judaism. They lived on the west side of the Dead Sea. The town of En Gedi was situated below the Essenes.
2007-04-15 21:38:13 · answer #3 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
An offshoot of traditional ancient Judaism. More or less one answer for both questions.
When you look deeper, you will see there were actually a number of sub-groups under the umbrella of Judaism. Essenes were only one of this number. An example of another were the "Zealots". These guys were more militant, wanting to overthrow Rome with force.
2007-04-15 21:34:13 · answer #4 · answered by Augustine 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A sect of Judaism that lived near the Dead Sea and were responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls.
2007-04-15 21:35:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Here's a link that might give you some info. I've just started reading through it myself.
2007-04-15 21:32:44 · answer #6 · answered by milomax 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus went to live with these people and I think that's where we got the 'Our Father' from.
2007-04-16 01:04:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe they were a sect of Judaism.
2007-04-15 21:33:34 · answer #8 · answered by RB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋