Final answer:
The am ha-aretz were despised by the Pharisees due to a perceived lack of adherence to the religious laws and societal standards set by the Pharisees, along with differences in beliefs about the messiah and judgment day.
Step-by-step explanation:
The am ha-aretz were despised by Pharisees in the first century CE mainly due to religious and social differences. The Pharisees, a Jewish sect, advocated for strict adherence to the 613 laws of Moses for all Jews, whereas the am ha-aretz, commonly referred to as people of the land, were often seen as less observant and knowledgeable about these laws. The Pharisees also believed in the coming of a messiah and a day of judgment, concepts that were not necessarily shared or upheld by the am ha-aretz. Moreover, the Pharisees' emphasis on piety and adherence to religious law often led to a perception that the am ha-aretz, who were typically farmers or common folk, were not living up to the religious and societal standards set by the Pharisaic leadership.
Esteem for religious piety and the associated social status among the Jewish leadership, such as the Pharisees, solidified a divide where the am ha-aretz were often looked down upon or marginalized. The Pharisees' focus on outward signs of righteousness, as criticized in historical texts, permitted them to judge the am ha-aretz harshly for their perceived failure to live in strict accordance with religious laws and rituals.