essaïts

The Essaïts were an ancient Jewish sect that emerged in the 2nd century BCE. They are primarily known through the writings of historians like Josephus and the New Testament, particularly the Gospels. The Essaïts were a communal and ascetic group, distinguished by their strict observance of Jewish law and their dedication to purity.

Their beliefs and practices set them apart from other Jewish groups of the time, such as the Pharisees and Sadducees. The Essaïts emphasized a life of communal living, often in isolated settlements, and shared their possessions. They were known for their devotion to study, particularly of sacred texts, and for their belief in the immortality of the soul and the coming of a Messiah. Some scholars associate the Qumran community, responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls, with the Essaïts, though this remains a subject of scholarly debate. Their teachings often involved dualistic concepts, distinguishing between good and evil, light and darkness. The sect eventually declined and disappeared from historical records, likely absorbed into other Jewish or early Christian movements.