Hillel the Elder

Born: Babylon (today is considered Babil Province, which is Iraq) Lived about one hundred years prior to the destruction of the 2^nd temple.

Died: Jerusalem. It is told that he lived to be 120 years old.

Hillel the Elder was a famous Jewish religious leader, one of the most important figures in Jewish history. He is associated with the development of the Mishnah and the Talmud. Renowned within Judaism as a sage and scholar, he was the founder of the "Beit Hillel" ("House of Hillel") school for Tannaןm (Sages of the Mishnah) and the founder of a dynasty of Sages who stood at the head of the Jewish community living in the land of Israel until roughly the fifth century of the Common Era.

He is popularly known as the author of two sayings: "If I am not for myself, who will be [for me]? And when I am for myself, what am 'I'? And if not now, when?" and the expression of the ethic of reciprocity, or "Golden Rule": "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn."

Hillel was born in Babylon. He descended from the tribe of Benjamin on his father's side, and from the family of David on his mother's side. Nothing definite, however, is known concerning his origin, nor is he anywhere mentioned by his father's name, which may perhaps have been Gamliel.

According to the Mishnah, he went to Jerusalem with the intention of studying Biblical exposition and tradition. The difficulties which Hillel had to overcome in order to be admitted to their school, and the hardships he suffered while pursuing his aim, are told in a touching passage (Talmud, tractate Yoma 35b), the ultimate purpose of which is to show that poverty cannot be considered as an obstacle to the study of Torah. Some time later, Hillel succeeded in settling a question concerning the sacrificial ritual in a manner which showed his superiority over the reigning heads of the Sanhedrin. On that occasion, it is narrated, they voluntarily resigned their position as Nasi (President) in favor of Hillel, and thereafter Hillel was recognized as the highest authority among the Pharisees (predecessors to Rabbinic Judaism).

When Hillel arrived to Israel, he was very poor and used to split his minimum income to 2. Half he gave to the guard at the temple so he will allow him to come in and learn from the respected Rabbies. The other half he used to support his family. It is told that one winter day, he did not earn enough money to pay the guard. When the guard did not allow him to enter, he climbed to the roof of the house and heard the Rabbis through the chimney. When the Rabbis saw his shadow they immediately brought him down and allowed him in.

Hillel lived in Jerusalem during the time of King Herod and the Roman Emperor Augustus. In the Midrash compilation Sifre (Deut. 357) the periods of Hillel's life are made parallel to those in the life of Moses. Both lived 120 years; at the age of forty Hillel went to the Land of Israel; forty years he spent in study; and the last third of his life he was the spiritual head of the Jewish people. A biographical sketch can be constructed; that Hillel went to Jerusalem in the prime of his life and attained a great age. His activity of forty years likely covered the period of 30 BCE to 10 CE.

One of the most respected Jewish teachers of his time, probably born in Babylonia. He immigrated to Palestine at about age 40. He founded a school of followers bearing his name, which was frequently in debate with (and often presented more tolerant attitudes than) the contemporary followers of Shammai. Noted for his use of seven rules in expounding Scripture, his views were influential for later rabbinic Judaism.

Another famous tale about Hillel was:

A poor man came to Hillel’s house and knocked on the door. Hillel’s wife had just finished cooking a meal.

The man said that this is his wedding day and he has no income.

Hillel’s wife took the whole meal she cooked and gave it to the man.

She then continued to bake and cook some more and gave it to the man and Hillel.

Hillel asked for the reason the meal was delayed and the wife told him the story.

Hillel proudly said to his wife “I did not judge you, but honor all your actions, as all you have done you did for the sake of God”.

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Hillel the Elder Born: Babylon (today is considered Babil Province, which is Iraq) Lived about one hundred years prior to the destruction of the 2^nd temple. Died: Jerusalem. It is told that he lived to be 120 years old. Hillel the Elder was a famous Jewish religious leader, one of the most important figures in Jewish history. He is associated with the development of the Mishnah and the Talmud. Renowned within Judaism as a sage and scholar, he was the founder of the "Beit Hillel" ("House of Hillel") school for Tannaןm (Sages of the Mishnah) and the founder of a dynasty of Sages who stood at the head of the Jewish community living in the land of Israel until roughly the fifth century of the Common Era. He is popularly known as the author of two sayings: "If I am not for myself, who will be [for me]? And when I am for myself, what am 'I'? And if not now, when?" and the expression of the ethic of reciprocity, or "Golden Rule": "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation; go and learn." Hillel was born in Babylon. He descended from the tribe of Benjamin on his father's side, and from the family of David on his mother's side. Nothing definite, however, is known concerning his origin, nor is he anywhere mentioned by his father's name, which may perhaps have been Gamliel. According to the Mishnah, he went to Jerusalem with the intention of studying Biblical exposition and tradition. The difficulties which Hillel had to overcome in order to be admitted to their school, and the hardships he suffered while pursuing his aim, are told in a touching passage (Talmud, tractate Yoma 35b), the ultimate purpose of which is to show that poverty cannot be considered as an obstacle to the study of Torah. Some time later, Hillel succeeded in settling a question concerning the sacrificial ritual in a manner which showed his superiority over the reigning heads of the Sanhedrin. On that occasion, it is narrated, they voluntarily resigned their position as Nasi (President) in favor of Hillel, and thereafter Hillel was recognized as the highest authority among the Pharisees (predecessors to Rabbinic Judaism). When Hillel arrived to Israel, he was very poor and used to split his minimum income to 2. Half he gave to the guard at the temple so he will allow him to come in and learn from the respected Rabbies. The other half he used to support his family. It is told that one winter day, he did not earn enough money to pay the guard. When the guard did not allow him to enter, he climbed to the roof of the house and heard the Rabbis through the chimney. When the Rabbis saw his shadow they immediately brought him down and allowed him in. Hillel lived in Jerusalem during the time of King Herod and the Roman Emperor Augustus. In the Midrash compilation Sifre (Deut. 357) the periods of Hillel's life are made parallel to those in the life of Moses. Both lived 120 years; at the age of forty Hillel went to the Land of Israel; forty years he spent in study; and the last third of his life he was the spiritual head of the Jewish people. A biographical sketch can be constructed; that Hillel went to Jerusalem in the prime of his life and attained a great age. His activity of forty years likely covered the period of 30 BCE to 10 CE. One of the most respected Jewish teachers of his time, probably born in Babylonia. He immigrated to Palestine at about age 40. He founded a school of followers bearing his name, which was frequently in debate with (and often presented more tolerant attitudes than) the contemporary followers of Shammai. Noted for his use of seven rules in expounding Scripture, his views were influential for later rabbinic Judaism. Another famous tale about Hillel was: A poor man came to Hillel’s house and knocked on the door. Hillel’s wife had just finished cooking a meal. The man said that this is his wedding day and he has no income. Hillel’s wife took the whole meal she cooked and gave it to the man. She then continued to bake and cook some more and gave it to the man and Hillel. Hillel asked for the reason the meal was delayed and the wife told him the story. Hillel proudly said to his wife “I did not judge you, but honor all your actions, as all you have done you did for the sake of God”.