Student Essay on Sects of Ancient Judaism

An overview of the three main sects of Judaism in the ancient world: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes. Appearing in the time of a deteriorating monarchical government, these three sects developed traditions and lifestyles to fit their beliefs and preferred forms of governed society, and they all made significant contributions to the growth of Judaic society.

At the end of the Second Temple period, many sects of Judaic belief began arising with the growing imposition of the Hellenistic beliefs of the conquering Greeks. Some of these sects arose in accordance with the newly prominent Hellenism, and others formed strongly in opposition to these foreign beliefs. The three main groups that appeared during this period were the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes. The biggest conflicts arose very prominently between the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

The Pharisees came into existence as a class in the third century BCE. They lived very simple lives and didn't believe in the ideas of luxury. After exile, Israel abandoned the ideas of a monarchical government and the Pharisees created a community of half state, half church. They believed very much in free will and the ability.....