For three years, there were many disputes between the School of Rabbi Shammai and the School of Rabbi Hillel, the former asserting, “The law is according to our view,” and the latter asserting, “The law is according to our view.” Then a voice issued from heaven announcing, “The teachings of both are the words of the living God, but the law is in agreement with the School of Hillel.”
But, it was asked, since both are the words of the living God, for what reason was the School of Rabbi Hillel entitled to have the law determined according to their rulings?
Because they were kindly and humble, and because they studied and even mentioned the rulings of the School of Rabbi Shammai in their arguments.
-Babylonian Talmud, Eruvin 13b
Reflection
Rabbis Hillel and Shammai were the leading Jewish scholars of their day. They both lived around the beginning of the Common Era. These two teachers and the schools they founded shaped the very foundations of Jewish law in the post-Temple period. And though they were often at odds with each other, we read here that God accepted both as legitimate opinions. But when it came to how the law would be taught in the future, and how the Jewish people were to behave, it was Rabbi Hillel and his followers whom God judged to be correct. And the reason for this is given: For they were kindly and humble, and they studied and included Shammai’s arguments into their response. Though both positions might contain truth, only one delivered in humility and kindness merits perpetuation. Indeed, part of that kindness and humility is the willingness to genuinely consider your opponents’ positions. The moment we believe we have a monopoly on truth is the moment we lose our credibility.
How can you open your mind to other peoples’ positions today? Even those with which you disagree?
What positions or attitudes can you reexamine today from a different perspective?
What truths can you recognize in your adversaries?
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