Communal Essene Life

• a celibate but communal life although one class of Essenes was allowed to marry

• forbade anointing the body with oil or perfumes

• were forbidden from swearing oaths

• had no slaves but served each other

• Had to give all they had to the group

• One purse for all, and all members had expenses, clothing, and food in common.

• The needy, aged and infirm were cared for at the common expense.

Notes: