The Talmud tells an insightful tale about two great sages who had very different perspectives - Hillel and Shammai. They lived during the time of King Herod and founded two prominent schools of Jewish thought, Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai. These two scholars and their students often disagreed on matters of law and custom. Yet their disputes are captured in the Talmud not as bitter arguments, but thoughtful discussions held with mutual respect.
Exploring the Stories
One particular story illustrates their contrasting opinions regarding Hanukkah and the value in considering different viewpoints. The Talmud recounts that a man mocked their arguments, asking each rabbi in turn whether it would be preferable for the candles lit during the eight days of Hanukkah to either diminish or increase each night. He expected them to contradict one another.
Shammai asserted that the candles should diminish from eight flames to one, corresponding to the number of days remaining in the holiday. This reflected traditional practice - each night an additional candle is lit to commemorate the miracle of oil lasting eight days when there was only enough for one.
In contrast, Hillel responded that the candles should light in ascending order from one up to eight. He saw it apt to increase light emphasizing that miracles and hope can grow each day. Despite the clear difference between these responses, the founding fathers and their followers intelligently discussed their reasoning without showing animosity over disagreements.
Lessons on Promoting Inclusive Dialogue
There are profound lessons we can glean from this tale about promoting inclusive dialogue.
Firstly, while the two schools of Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai disagreed often, they did so cordially, valuing each other’s input. They exemplified that debate aimed at reaching truth should not divide people. The Talmud teaches how much they respected and even needed one another. Once when prayer offerings were rejected, God explained it was because one of the schools had passed away diminishing inclusive discourse in Israel.
Secondly, Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai practiced genuinely listening and trying to understand opposing views instead of rigidly advocating their own positions. For example, before giving halakhic rulings, Hillel’s students would first present Shammai's positions. This reflected intellectual humility attempting to give context before refuting arguments.
Lastly, Jewish tradition teaches both schools’ opinions are “the words of the living God”. In many cases, their disputes ended unsettled with God’s ultimate truth surpassing human understanding. The diversity in interpretations was not viewed as conflicting, but as collectively forming the range of Torah.
Value in Diverse Perspectives
The tale of Hillel and Shammai illuminates how unity does not demand uniformity. As Rabbi Joseph Telushkin writes, “Difference of opinion should not be feared but celebrated. An exchange of views...sharpens the mind, engages the spirit, and provides intellectual enjoyment”.
So, during this Hanukkah we would do well remembering Hillel increasing candlelight each night as we ourselves hope to inspire more wisdom in the world. And we would do well remembering Shammai’s diminishing candles as we humbly reflect on tempering extreme views.
Judaism embraces this diversity through its culture of debate and moral nuance. The disagreements between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai remind us of insight gained when we genuinely consider perspectives other than our own.
Wishing you a wonderful day filled with positivity!
Until next time,
Tohar Liani