Describe The Differences Between The Sadduce And The Essenes

During 2nd century BC in Israel, members of Jewish religious orders were divided into several different groups, each with its own unique views concerning the Jewish way of life. Among these were: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes. Some beliefs such as the belief in one God became universal amongst different schools of thought; however, the Jewish way of life was different amongst the three sects. The Essenes, the smallest of the three sects, were identified as a Jewish sect that lived their lives according to ritual purity, abstinence from sensual pleasure, and separation from the outside world. Over the past couple of years, we have come to understand the Essene’s way of life through the works of Josephus and Philo. In recent
Usually these groups keep close because of religious reasons, but their beliefs are almost always considered strange by outsiders. This ideology leads to the concept of religious dualism whereby those within the inner circle believe that certain kinds of people did not fit in with society or can cause disorganization within a community. As it is mentioned: “These men in the first place, live in villages, avoiding all cities on account of the habitual lawlessness of those who inhabit them, knowing that such a moral disease is contracted from association with wicked men, just as a real disease might be from an unhealthy atmosphere, and that this would have a deadly effect on their souls.” In other words, there is a clear distinction between right/wrong, moral/immoral, light/darkness and holy/blasphemy. Those seeking to live a life that caters to God’s commandments would find it appealing to live life in the ’right’
This sort of lifestly may be beneficial for those who seek it but may also drawback from those who renounce it. One aspect of the Essenes that differed from other sects of ancient Judaism was their disdain for wealth. These men shared their possessions with each other; therefore, a rich man benefited no more than a poor man (Ant 18.20). This idea of shared wealth was not an optional act; it was mandatory of all new members. In fact, “it is a law that those entering into their movement must devote their property to the order; thus, neither the destitution of poverty not the ascendancy of wealth exists among them at all” (War 2.122). These men were also extremely frugal and generous with their things. They wore their clothing until it was nearly destroyed, and they had no qualms about giving a man something of theirs that the man needed (War 2.126-127). The Essenes contempt for wealth and willingness to give to undeniably to others was a distinguishing characteristic of their sect. Moreover, they renounce pleasure as an evil, and regard continence and resistance to passions as a virtue. They disdain marriage for themselves, being content to adopt the children of others at a tender age in order to instruct