Middle East Information Resource
Religions/Belief Systems - Essenes
The Essenes were a Jewish sect that refused to be governed by the Scriptural interpretations of the Pharisees. During the rule of King Herod (died 4 BCE) they established monastic communities in the region of the Dead Sea. They adhered rigorously to the Torah. Because of some additions to their practice Orthodox Jews of today consider them to have left Judaism, although they were Jews in their own day.
Their practices included a lot of ritual cleaning, purification through baptism, and renunciation of sexual pleasure. They were strict observers of Mosaic law. They were ascetics and property was communal. They practiced spiritual healing and practiced the exorcism of demons.
The Essenes seem to be similar to the sources of the Dead Sea Scrolls and of the Apocalyptic literature. It can be argued that they represent part of a gradual development of Christianity.