What is fariseos?

The Fariseos were a religious sect in ancient Judaism that emerged during the Second Temple period. Their name may derive from the Hebrew word "parush," meaning "separated." They were known for their strict observance of the Torah (Jewish Law) and their belief in the resurrection of the dead.

The Fariseos were influential in teaching and interpreting the Torah, and many of their teachings are still observed in Jewish tradition today. They believed in the oral tradition of the Law, which stated that beyond the written Torah there was additional knowledge that was passed down through generations of Jewish sages.

During the time of Jesus, the Fariseos were one of the main religious groups in Judea. They were often in conflict with Jesus and his followers because they saw him as a threat to their authority and teachings. However, some Fariseos, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, were sympathetic to Jesus and eventually became his followers.

After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, the Fariseos became the dominant Jewish group and their practices formed the basis for Rabbinic Judaism.