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Jewish Sects during the Second Temple

Question

What were the Jewish sects in the time of the Second Temple?

Answer

Josephus, writing about that period, speaks about three principal “philosophies” of the Jews, associated with groups called the Sadducees, Pharisees, and Essenes. The first group, to which many of the priests belonged, generally rejected the Oral Torah. The second group, led by the Rabbis, gave rise to the Rabbinic Judaism of today. The third group, many of whose members lived in isolated communities, is believed by most scholars to have been the sect that wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Follow-up question

Question

Are people that refer to themselves today as Essenes of the same sect as those of the Second Temple Period? I understand that these modern Essenes consider themselves to be Jews, but believe in Jesus the way other Christians do.

If one of these self-described Jews were to renounce their belief in Jesus, would it be more appropriate for them to follow the Noachide Laws or formally convert to Judaism?

Thanks in advance!

Shalom

Answer

As far as I know, the Essenes of the Second Temple era were Jewish by birth, but rejected fundamental aspects of Jewish law and faith. By most accounts, the majority of the Essenes community were wiped out by the Roman legions , and the survivors were too few in number to sustain themselves. The Essenes of today would probably not be consided Halakhikly Jewish. As with all Gentiles, conversion is an option for those sincerely wanting to join the Jewish faith, but the process when done correctly is long and not nessesarily encouraged.

Rabbi Shlomo Soroka