Note 32 — THE ESSENES.
Reading edition
The tracing of this brotherhood to Moses is in accordance with the practice which generally prevailed among the Jews of ascribing the origin of every law, mystical doctrine or system, which came into vogue in the course of time, either to Ezra, Moses, Noah or Adam. Thus we are told in the Jerusalem Talmud (Pea, ii. 6), and the Midrash (Coheleth, 96 d.), that all the Scriptural learning which developed itself in course of time, and everything which a Talmid Vatic might bring to light, were revealed to Moses beforehand on Mount Sinai. ↑