Reply #46: Because the priestly class wanted political power

[Meshuga]

And they held on to power until the emergence of the Pharisees who brought about the concept of following the twofold law (the written and oral) which enabled follower of Torah Law to be resurrected and earn a place in the "world to come," a concept rejected by the priestly class.

Priestly "Biblical Judaism" was temple based and the priestly class controlled this religion. The belief was that sacrifices would bring them forgiveness, a good harvest, protection, etc. while rejecting the Pharisaic idea of "resurrection" and "world to come." The careful instructions given by God were merely part of their ritualistic laws.

It is my perception, from my little knowledge of Christianity, that some Christian concepts were borrowed from these two rival groups withing the Jewish community. Or mostly from the Pharisaic concept since the Pharisees didn't really do away with written Torah when they came up with their claim to authority based on the twofold law. The priests at the temple were not replaced but just told that they didn't have a place in the world to come.