But since all these rules were meant to be memorized and obeyed and make you feel guilty, we can imagine the common people found them burdensome. The idea is that if you know the right rule for every occasion you must be a better person than those who don't know the rules. Instead of the unpredictable and miraculous inrush of the Holy Spirit, the prescription for moral health is that by repenting and feeling bad about your sins you will improve a bit. But since the heart is never changed by moralizing, those who live by Pharisee teaching need a litany of criticism. Such things would never have been allowed in the old days.
Young people are immoral.
They use drugs and four letter words. The neighborhood is deteriorating. Couples are getting divorced and marry again. Films are full of sex and violence. Child abuse is rampant.