How did the pharisees affect the Jewish people in the first century?

Answer by  wallaby78 (2293)

The pharisees were preoccupied with the Jewish law found in the Torah, especially the ten commandments. They built a "hedge around the law" to prevent anyone from even possibly getting close to breaking the law.

Answer by  GrahamM (47)

The pharisees studied and interpreted the Jewish Torah and Law which was important in the development of the rabbinical tradition after the fall of the Temple, as rabbis assumed leadership.

Answer by  StingRay (471)

The pharisees were very powerful and noteworthy people. However, they usually only affected the rich or powerful. They viewed the poor as dust or "people of the earth" only letting small scraps of religious knowledge fall to them. Those who filled their contribution boxes were the ones paid attention to.