Did you know the Dead Sea Scrolls don’t just explain the Bible? Even though most people think the Scrolls only explain books of the Bible, there are many other important nonbiblical parts. Despite being nonbiblical, there are portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls that hold great historical value with regard to Religious Law, Poems and Hymns, Calendars, and Rules of War. Some sections of the nonbiblical Dead Sea Scrolls deal with interpreting religious law through biblical legal texts. Two of these texts are the Migsat Ma’asen ha Torah and the Zodokite Fragments. They cover subjects like civil matters, ritual requirements, and festivals (“Introduction” par, 16). The Migsat Ma'asen ha Torah, talks about rules to follow when debating or arguing with other groups. This is important because without these guidelines, the debates could have led to war. The Zodokite Fragments cover topics of civil law, judges, witnesses, and lost or stolen property and give legal rule on Sabbaths, oaths, vows, purity, impurity, laws of court and testimony (Williams par, 53). These procedures helped keep order and peace within the community. The authors of these sections wanted to say that only through their specific religion could someone correctly obey their laws. They also thought they were the only ones who could interpret Jewish Laws. …show more content…
Thanksgiving Hymns are prayers that acknowledge the power of God who has already decided all things. They get their name by repeating "I give thanks to you O Lord” and they often speak of the author suffering (S. Ben par, 1). The Hymns are an example of how the community worshiped God. The Thanksgiving Scroll is called the Hodayot. The scroll is long and parts of seven copies have been found. The author talks about how God's grace saved him and told him what to teach the community. This is historical evidence of God’s teaching, and sending messages to His