``So the general thinking that led to the school of Pharisee is when the Hebrews returned from captivity in Babylon, they argued God would not dwell amongst them no longer. They started to point fingers at many things, but the general consensus eventually became that unless everyone in Israel upheld the law for at least one day, God would not return. So they became the law police, and started establishing synagogues to supplement the temple and expand teaching. (All synagogues in the New Testament are Pharisee by default). The synagogue had several consequences that benefited the Pharisees: it reduced the importance of the Temple, and created the rabbis (purely a teacher as opposed to the 'truly' ordained Temple priests, but the distinction was permitted to blur). Now welding strong social power from synagogue building, they cried for the deaths of Prophets alongside the Sadducees. Ironically, actually having (or the even the prophecy of) God walk among them will diminish their influence on the populace.
I find it interesting the layers of laws throws in the way of worshiping God. Kind of makes me go back and think of the the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus pretty much says this is how you pray to God and these are the things that will help you be a good person. I know that has nothing to do with what I originally asked but it just gets me thinking.
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