The Pharisees in the Bible were a Jewish religious group that emerged around the 2nd century BCE. Their name likely derives from the Hebrew root meaning "to separate," reflecting their emphasis on ritual purity and separation from what they considered impure or unclean practices. They were not a hereditary priestly class but rather a voluntary association made up mainly of middle- class householders, including tradespeople and professionals. The Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses and the oral traditions that they believed accompanied the written Torah. They emphasized piety, tithing, and Sabbath observance, and believed in concepts such as the resurrection of the dead, angels, spirits, and the coming of a Messiah. They played significant roles in Jewish society, especially in the interpretation and teaching of Jewish law. In the New Testament, Pharisees often appear as opponents of Jesus, frequently depicted as legalistic and hypocritical, focusing on the letter of the law rather than its spirit. Despite this, some early Christians, including the apostle Paul, were Pharisees. The Pharisees' oral traditions later formed the basis for rabbinic Judaism and texts like the Mishnah and Talmud. Historically, they were one of several Jewish sects during the Second Temple period, and their influence continued after the Temple's destruction in 70 AD through the shaping of post-Temple Judaism.
