Final answer:
Several Jewish sects formed during the Hasmonean period due to the degree of independence enjoyed by the Jews, allowing for diverse religious interpretations and practices. Key sects included the Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, and Zealots, each with distinct beliefs and approaches to foreign rule and adherence to Jewish laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the time of the Hasmonean kings, several Jewish sects formed due to a combination of factors. There was not a simple, singular cause for this diversification but a convergence of social, religious, and political conditions that characterized the Hasmonean period. This was a time when the Jews had a certain degree of independence, which meant that there were more opportunities for different interpretations of Jewish laws and practices to develop without direct foreign intervention.
Among the sects that emerged, the Sadducees were a group of powerful priests who claimed adherence to the 10 Commandments but believed that the 613 Mosaic laws were reserved for the Temple priesthood. In contrast, the Pharisees insisted that all Jews should follow the full spectrum of Mosaic laws, and they introduced the concept of a coming messiah. The Essenes lived an ascetic life in the deserts, emphasizing mysticism, while the Zealots promoted armed resistance against Roman rule.
The formation of these sects was further influenced by the interactions between the Jews and other cultures, particularly during the periods of Greek and Roman rule, which imposed various degrees of control and occasionally, persecution. Despite the shifts in power, the Jews actively worked to maintain their cultural identity, while different groups within the society sought different paths in how to best live according to their faith under changing circumstances.