Judaism Religion: The Damascus Document and the Rule of the Community - Assignment Example

Another factor that would make one be interested in being part of these separatist societies, first, according to Josephus and Philo, the members of the sect numbered 4000. Judaism is a religious system whereby everyone is under the rule of God. This was because becoming a member of the Essene sect, for example, was not easy to achieve. Only the male adults were allowed to join the group. The Essenes, for example, believed in living very simple lives. There are a number of factors that made their ways of life appealing.

First, their days began with prayer and they believed in purification after working in their various occupations. That is why they would assemble for ritual purification at the end of each day. “Followers had communal meals which were prepared by the priest” (Brownlee, 1982). These meals were served to each member in order of their status in the society but each member would wear special garments for these meals. They would return to work after these meals and later on reassemble for another meal.

They often recited prayers together at sunset. Their unique mannerisms and ways of life made them be different and they were separated from their fellow Jews. One can, therefore, desire to be like them because of their unique mannerisms (Trans, 1942). These societies overemphasized on ritual purity in the sense that they would purify themselves several times after relieving themselves for example, after working, after being in contact with people who were not members of their societies and before meals.

According to the rule of the community, the character of these communities such as that which required one to undergo a thorough examination before being allowed to join the sects made them be desirable and appealing. Such an examination process would last for almost two years before one became a fully fledged member. Their celibacy, community of property and theology were unique and made them be different. The Jews are considered to be an ethnoreligious group.