Note 1 — THE ESSENES.

According to tradition there were four degrees of purity. 1. The ordinary purity required of every worshipper in the temple (‏טהרת חולין‎). 2. The higher degree of purity necessary for eating of the heave-offering (‏טהרת תרומה‎). 3. The still higher degree requisite for partaking of the sacrifices (‏טהרת הקודש‎). And 4. The degree of purity required of those who sprinkle the water absolving from sin (‏טהרת חטאת‎). Each degree of purity required a greater separation from the impurities described in Leviticus xi, 24 – xv, 28 . These impure subjects were termed the fathers of impurity; that which was touched by them was designated the first generation of impurity; what was touched by this again, was called the second generation of impurity; and so on. Now, heave-offerings—the second degree of holiness—became impure when touched by the third generation; the flesh of sacrifices—the third degree of holiness—when coming in contact with the fourth generation; and so on. These degrees of purity had even to be separated from each other; because the lower degree was, in respect to the higher one, regarded as impure, and any one who lived according to a higher degree of purity became impure by touching one who lived according to a lower degree, and could only regain his purity by lustrations (‏טבילה‎). The first degree was obligatory upon every one, the other grades were voluntary. Before partaking of the heave-offering, the washing of hands was required; and before eating of the flesh of sacrifices, immersion of the whole body was required—Comp. Babylonian Talmud, Tract Chagiga, 18 b. ↑