Regarding the issue of gentile sacrifice and eating food sacrificed to idols in MMT, not only was this an issue in the first century CE, it should be noted that MMT appears to be a letter (like the letter concerning gentiles -including the issue of food sacrificed to idols- that was sent out by Jewish Christians in Acts 15).
https://books.google.com/books?id=_oCFY ... er&f=false
It also uses the Pharisaic term ma'asim (and which is one of the "m's" in MMT), "These are some of our words concerning [the Law of Go]d, that is, so[me of the] works [ma'asim] that [w]e [reckon (as justifying you," which is in keeping with the idea that the DSS sect was like the Fourth Philosophy, which, as Josephus says (aside from their militancy and "innovations") "agree in all other things with the Pharisaic notions" (Ant. 18.1.6).
As I noted earlier, Jesus also uses this word to describe the Oral Law of Pharisees in the Shem Tov Hebrew Matthew.
Our Bibles (which are translated from the Greek Manuscripts) read in Mat 23:3 regarding the Pharisees as follows:
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
The Hebrew Manuscripts of Matthew read the same verse as follows:
Therefore all that he says to you, diligently do, but according to their reforms (Takanot) and their precedents (Ma’asim) do not do, because they talk, but do not do.
If you are familiar with what the Pharisees taught and believed you would know what “Takanot” and “Ma’asim” refer to. These are traditions and customs that they added into God’s Word (The Holy Scriptures). “Takanot” and “Ma’asim” were sometimes even regarded more important or higher than God’s Word. Examples for Takanot and Ma’asim are, the “Washing of Hands” mentioned in Mat 15:2 and “The Breaking of the Sabbath by plucking corn” mentioned in Mat 12:2. The Hebrew Matthew gives us a better understanding of what went on in such instances, while our own Bible translations are silent on these issues.
https://biblethingsinbibleways.wordpres ... ag/maasim/
Additionally, the letter segues from discussing gentile sacrifice, eating food sacrificed to idols to fornication (like the letter in Acts 15), or, as the letter puts it, "All of them have to do with [holy gifts]and purity issues." After discussing the issue of gentile sacrifice and sacrifice in general it then says:
As for the fornication taking place among the people, they are (supposed to be) a Holy People, as it is written, ‘Israel is Holy’ (therefore, it is forbidden). Concerning a man’s cloth[es, it is written, ‘They are not] to be of mixed fabric;’ and no one should plant his field or [his vineyard with mixed crop]s. (Mixing is forbidden) because (the people) is Holy, and the sons of Aaron are H[oly of Holy] [nevertheless, as y]ou know, some of the priests and the [people are mixing (intermarrying).] [They] are intermarrying and (thereby) polluting the [holly seed, [as well as] (89) their own [seed, with fornication ... because they come... will be... and concerning wome[n...] And the rebellion [...For by reason of these... because of] violence and fornication [some] places have been destroyed.
...they sent the following letter ... It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Additionally, the end of MMT has a similar expression from Genesis that James and Paul use in their letters.
Then you will rejoice at the End Time, when you find some of our words were true. Thus, "It will be reckoned to you as righteousness," your having done what is upright and good before Him, for your own Good and for that of Israel.
"And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,' and he was called the friend of God" (James 2:23).
"So also, 'Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness" (Gal. 3:6).
(And incidentally, James' expression of Abraham being called the "friend of God" is also used in the Damascus Document: "Abraham did not walk in it, and he was accounted friend of God because he kept the commandments of God and did not choose his own will. And he handed them down to Isaac and Jacob, who kept them, and were recorded as friends of God and party to the Covenant for ever.")
MMT was also arguably sent out to gentiles, since it says, "And finally, we wrote you about some of the works [ma'ase] of the Law, which we reckoned
for your own good and for that of your people, for we see that you possess discernment and knowledge of the Torah."
And note the strong emphasis on "works" of the Torah in MMT (and which is why it is called "MMT"), similar to James and Jewish Christianity.
You know in spite of all you gained, you still have to stand out in the pouring rain.