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Bisectual Qumram
Geza Vermes in his book The Dead Sea Scrolls Qumram in Perspective, Fortress
Press 1977 Ed. p. 97. Suggests that there were two different versions of the
sect in Isreal, one at Qumram, and the other in "camps or towns".
That is the sect was bisectual (no pun intended). Those members of the sect
who lived in Qumram were stricter, those who lived in the towns "...adherents
of the sect lived an urban or village life side by side, yet apart from,
their fellow-Jews and Gentile neighbors. Rearing children, employing
servants, engaging in commerce or trade, (even with Gentiles), tending
cattle, growing vines and corn in the surrounding fields, discharging their
duties in the Temple by way of offerings and sacrifice, they were obliged
like their brothers in the desert (Qumram) to show absolute obedience to the
Law and to observe the sect's 'appointed times'. There is no indication,
however, that intensive study of the Torah played any part in their lives.
Nor is there any mention of in their regard of instruction in the doctrine of
the two spirits."
Vermes suggests that the "Messianc Rule reflects contemporary actuality as
well as the lideal life of an age to come."
Where the townies the ones who brought their scrolls (those who did not live
in Jerusalem must have read the Torah on the Sabbath somewhere else) to
Qumram's cave when the revolt with Rome turned bad?
Steve Abramowitz
JD NYU