Final answer:
The Essenes were a Jewish sect known for separating themselves, communal living, and strict religious practices, including daily prayer and washings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group of Jews who often separated themselves from others, lived in communal settings, offered their own religious sacrifices, and established a routine of daily prayer and religious washings were known as the Essenes. The Essenes are most noted for their ascetic lifestyle, mystical practices, and communal living. They were part of a diverse array of Jewish groups during the First Century CE, which also included the Sadducees, Pharisees, and Zealots. The Essenes emphasized a life of piety and ritual purity, distinguishing themselves from other groups through their practices and interpretations of religious law. They were centered in the deserts outside of major cities, such as Qumran near the Dead Sea where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, believed to be associated with the Essenes or a similar group.