Pharisaism is a term used to describe the hypocritical behavior of certain religious people. It is derived from the Pharisees, a Jewish sect in the time of Jesus who were known for their strict adherence to the law and their outward display of piety. HYPOCRISY is an important part of Pharisaism, as it involves pretending to be more righteous than one actually is. This can manifest itself in various ways, such as making false promises or saying one thing but doing another.