Talmud and School of Hillel

Christian Alexander
Christian Alexander Member Posts: 3,008 ✭✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

I'm attempting to make sense of a confusing passage in the Talmud from a biblical perspective. The Talmud explains why the law adheres to the School of Hillel by citing another tale involving God. It should be noted that the Hillelite viewpoint is dominant because this school demonstrated humility and "listened" to many points of view. How can I find sources on this topic?

For three years the School of Shammai and the School of Hillel debated each other. These said the halachah is in agreement with our view, and these said the halachah is in agreement with our view. Then, a heavenly voice (bath kol) went forth and announced: both opinions are the words of the living God, but the halachah is in agreement with the School of Hillel… What did the School of Hillel do to merit that the halachah is according to their view? Because they were kind and modest, and they studied their own opinion and those of the School of Shammai. And not only that, but they would mention the opinion of the School of Shammai before their own (Babylonian Talmud, Eruvin 13b).

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  • MJ. Smith
    MJ. Smith MVP Posts: 55,400

    Have you taken something similar to this free course The Talmud: A Methodological Introduction | Coursera to teach you how to interpret the Talmud? This is an excellent course that should put you on the right track.

    Orthodox Bishop Alfeyev: "To be a theologian means to have experience of a personal encounter with God through prayer and worship."; Orthodox proverb: "We know where the Church is, we do not know where it is not."

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