Judaism is just one of many religions, but how it came to its modern form is quite unique and interesting. Judaism began with what is known as Biblical Judaism. A strict religion, it has faced problems proceeding through history without changes being made. However, changes were made and Rabbinic Judaism was born. It was a much better version of Judaism for Jews, as it is still the most practiced form of Judaism today. Rabbinic Judaism was able to thrive due to the ability of the Pharisees, an elite group of Jews, not only to survive during great turmoil, but also to adapt and carry on Judaism without the Temple. The Israelite religion before the year 70 AD was known as Biblical Judaism. This form of Judaism was a strict religion centered on the temple cult of Jerusalem, which emphasized purity, agricultural festivals, holy days, and a God-appointed king (Torah, Leviticus 11). Temple worship involved sacrifices made at the temple. These sacrifices were to be performed only by the priests and the priests then consumed the sacrifices. The temple was of the utmost importance in Biblical Judaism. The purity laws consisted of what foods the Israelites could eat, how individuals were to remain pure, and how to be cleansed. Along with the purity laws there were agricultural festivals and holy days. Agricultural holidays included Passover, Shavu'ot, and Sukkot. The holy days were Rosh Qodesh, Rosh Ha-Shanah, and Yom Qippur. Finally, Biblical Judaism consisted of a divinely appointed king known as Moshiach. Saul was first, followed by David and then Solomon (Dr. Hofer, Notes). Early rabbinic Judaism was clearly different from biblical Judaism. Rabbinic literature was crucial to the new form of Judaism and consisted of the Mishnah, the Talmud, ... middle of paper ...... nature, which would be the basis for what would be known as Rabbinic Judaism. The rabbis then slowly began to go out into the synagogues and spread their current form of Judaism by reading pages of the Torah. Synagogues were originally gathering places, and all kinds of people frequented them during their early stages. The transition from a place of gathering to a place of worship was slow, but eventually the rabbis took control of the synagogues, which was a crucial change for rabbinic Judaism because they now had a place of worship. In conclusion, Rabbinic Judaism "won" because of the Pharisees. They were the only elite group left to teach Judaism after the destruction of the Temple, shaped rabbinic literature, and took control of the Synagogue. All in all, they were able to put these pieces together to help evolve Judaism as a whole without the requirement of the Temple.