2 - The concept of purity in the Qumran community

Summary

Introduction

In our study of the Dead Sea Scrolls we propose to show the importance and pervasiveness of purity terminology in a pre-AD-70 Jewish group that was not associated with the Jerusalem Temple. It has previously been shown that the Qumran community thought of itself as the Temple. This will be confirmed and elaborated by studying the concept of purity, which was traditionally related to the temple cult. In the Scrolls purity terminology occurs in two principal contexts: the requirements for and the consequences of admission to the community and the maintenance of status once a member was in the community. The language of purity is also used in discussions of exclusion from the community. Accordingly it is to these contexts that we turn in order to grasp the role and significance of purity in the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Entry into the community; the ‘Purity’ and the ‘Drink’ at Qumran

And when he approaches the Council of the Community he shall not touch the Purity [ṭaharah] of the Many until they have examined him about his spirit and actions, until a full year has been completed by him. (1QS 6.16, 17)

Let him not touch the Drink [mashqeh] of the Many until he nas completed a second year amongst the men of the Community. (1QS 6.20, 21, Rabin's translation)