Volume 4, book 2, 'The Books of the Essene College' consists of the reconstituted writings from the Essene religious order of the priesthood that was building a priestly government for the new era of the anticipated kingdom of the Messiah that was said to be appearing in Israel soon. . Mostly the writings are an academic instruction in the scriptures and the regulations of a priesthood more pure than the Hasmonean establishment at the temple in Jerusalem, which practiced sacrificial offerings. In contrast, the Essenes were vegetarians reminscent of the Jainist Brahmin priesthood of ancient...