the-bible-and-the-dead-sea-scrolls

HENRY W. MORISADA RIETZ 229
The participants in the various assemblies are instructed to “sanctify
them(selves) three days”; the reason for this sanctification is eventually
provided in 2.8–9; “for (the) angels of holiness (are) [in] their [Coun]cil.”
The similar exclusion passage in the Damascus Document (CD MS A
15.15–17) confirms that the belief in the present presence of angels was
operative during the community’s existence. The context of the passage
is a section in the “Laws” 124 dealing with oaths (CD MS A cols. 15–16).
The structure of the passage can be outlined as follows:
15.1–6a—oaths in general and the “oath of the covenant” (tyrbh t(wb#b)
15.6b–15a—(oath) “to return to the Torah of Moses” 125
15.15b–19126 —exclusion of the physically and mentally impaired
16.1–6a—(oath) “to return to Torah of Moses” with reference to Jubilees
16.6b–20—miscellaneous halakot re: oaths
In this passage, the oath “to return to the Torah of Moses” (l) bw#l
h#m trwt; CD MS A 15.9, 12; 16.1–2, 4–5) is compared (Nkw in 15.6)
to the “oath of the covenant” (tyrbh t(wb#b; 15.5–6). The halakot is
directed “to everyone who turns (b#h) from his corrupt way” (15.7) and
refer to the initiation into the sectarian community. 127 These halakot are
specifically for the present “wicked time”; “And thus (also is) the precept
during the entire wicked time” ((#rh Cq lkb +p#mh Nkw; 15.6b–7).
The passage claims that the correct interpretation of the Torah of Moses
124. The Damascus Document comprises two large sections, often referred to as the
“Admonition” and the “Laws.” Cf. Chaim Rabin, The Zadokite Documents (2d rev. ed.;
Oxford: Clarendon, 1958). For an outline, that includes the material from the Dead
Sea Scrolls, see Joseph M. Baumgarten and Daniel R. Schwartz, “Damascus
Document (CD),” 5. Note that the “Laws” are introduced by “a catalogue of transgressions
ending with an appeal to those who know to choose between the paths of
life and perdition” (ibid., 5).
125. Cf. 1QS 5 esp. 5.7–10 and the parallel vocabulary.
126. A vacat between 15.6a and b signals the beginning of a subsection. That these
instructions are for “the entire time of evil” is repeated in CD MS A 15.10 par. 4Q266
frag. 8 1.1.
127. Cf. 1QS 5 esp. 5.7–11, which also deals with the initiation into the sectarian
Community and the language parallels CD MS A 15.6b–16.6a. “He shall take upon
his soul by a binding oath to return to the Torah of Moses t(wb#b w#pn l( Mqyw
h#wm trwt l) bw#l rs), according to all which he has commanded with all heart
and with all soul #pn lwkbw bl lwkb, according to everything that has been
revealed from it to the Sons of Zadok, the priest who keep the covenant and seek his
will, and according to the multitude of the men of their covenant who devote themselves
to his truth and to walking in his will.” (1QS 5.8–10; cf. 4Q256 and 4Q259
[4QS MSS B and D], which omit “according to all which he has commanded” thus
providing a closer parallel to CD MS A 15.9–10).