sweet dreams are made of this {I don't disagree}

About
Guesswork a.s.o.

Manuscripts describing
the organization & ideology of a Jewish sect.
Fragments of Zadokite Work/Damascus Document
because they mentioned the priestly caste of "Zadokites" & named
Damascus as a place of exile of the sect - a sect which has been identified
with almost every conceivable grouping in Jewish antiquity [didn't Paul
also go to Damascus in order to catch heretics
& was turned
around?]!

Those
first inklings
came via Cairo, but it is now also certain
that the document existed at Qumran, for its fragments
in 10 different copies were also found at Qumran in Caves 4, 5 and 6,
enabling this work to be traced back to at least the 1st century BCE.
The Damascus Document [the Qumran & Cairo forms are very similar]
was compiled from various sources, & includes
sermons & interpretations
of biblical texts
& laws
...

The
actual structure
of the whole is not entirely
understood, but has at least two distinct parts. First comes
what is commonly called the "Admonition". This is a kind of extended sermon
explaining the 'actions of G d' in rejecting Israel at the time of the Babylonian exile
[6th century BCE: see 2 Kings 25] & making with a particular group e 'new covenant'
in the [real or symboilic] 'land of Damascus'.
The "Admonition" describes the history
of that covenant group,
its raison d'etre,
to obey G d's laws
exactly until the
'end of
days'.

It
reminds a
reader of the
basis of that covenant,
and utters threats against
defectors from
its ranks
...

The second part,
named the "Laws",
comprises several collections of rules for the community, or rather its
communities, of this sectarian covenant group
in their 'cities' &
'camps'.

These reflect
the sect's belief that it was living
according to the proper interpretation
of the Law of Mosheh, and they cover such things
as the use of the divine name in swearing oaths [compare Matai 5:37],
the fulfilment of vows and free-will offerings, leprosy & contagion,
permitted & forbidden sexual intercourse, relations
with Gentiles, and careful observance
of the sabbath.

Also noteworthy
is the regulation that members
are to give up two days' monthly wages
for the support of the less fortunate. The Damascus Document
thus gives the earliest & most complete description of a Jewish sectarian community,
separated by both its beliefs and its lifestyle from other
Jews. Time to go to bed &
maybe dream
about?!

Interesting facts
it presents about certain cross-
connections between those warring factions of
about twothousand years ago that lead to further
developments ever
since
...



Sleep well,
dream sweet &
tell us all about it
tomorrow if you really
want to
do so
...