The term "binding and loosening" in the NT was originally rabbinic term for the regulation of halaka which was how the commandments would be carried out in ordinary life. We know from reading the NT that pharisees often were too strict in this, not using mercy when establishing these rules and rulings.
In context, this is particularly true because the quote where Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, takes place when they are getting on the disciples case for eating food that came from unwashed hands! This is important because God never gave that commandment to Israel in general. The Pharisees (seeking status) took ritual commands given to the priests for making sacrifices and offerings and used them for themselves. While there was nothing wrong with that, if done rightly it might be good thing if it inspires one to holiness liturgically speaking there is a problem using a command God never gave to oppress or harass other people (which violated God's moral law)! (I doubt there was hand washing facilities that were readily available and the pharisees would rather people go hungry than avoid there tradition!)
2) Besides that the rabbis did other things. There was a procedure called the prozbul that allowed debts to be collected and was essentially a work around because of the Jubilee debt forgiveness system instituted in the Pentateuch,
3) Besides that there was a general tradition of following closely to the rabbi, so much that you would walk in his foot steps and have his dust upon you. While there are some parallels to this in Christianity, Jesus in a number of passages makes it clear that the 12 apostles have "they have no need of a teacher". The rabbis in spite of their education were lacking because they did not have the Holy Spirit, and the revelation that came with that indwelling. Not to mention it was also necessary to establish a New Covenant and "Wine Skin" for the end purpose of evangelizing all the nations. Anyway for this reason it was necessary to separate from that system, and the first step in doing that was Jesus formally rebuking it as he does in the Gospels.
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