Greet Every Question with Patience

It is told that Rabbi Hillel was open to any question and welcomed people with open arms. He was quite the people person. Rabbi Shammai, on the other hand, focused more on his books and a strict interpretation of the law. He was a legendary scholar. The Talmud tells many stories about these first century leaders.

One time a man approached Shammai and said: “How many Torahs do you have?” He said to him: “Two, the Written Torah and the Oral Torah.” The man said to him: “With regard to the Written Torah, I believe you, but with regard to the Oral Torah and its rabbinic writings, I do not believe you. Convert me on the condition that you teach me only the Written Torah.” Shammai scolded him, casting him out with shouts and reprimands.

The man then went to Hillel, who immediately converted him and began teaching him Torah. On the first day, he showed him the letters of the alphabet and said to him: “Alef, bet, gimmel, dalet.” The next day he reversed the order and told him that an alef is a tav and so on. The man said to him: “But yesterday you told me the exact opposite.” Hillel said to him: “Now you understand. It is impossible to learn what is written without relying on an oral tradition. You relied on me. Therefore, you should also rely on my teaching. You should likewise accept the Oral Torah and the interpretations it contains.”

Nothing can truly be understood without interpretation; nothing can fully be explained without a teacher. This is why we need the Oral Torah and the body of rabbinic works, most especially the Talmud and Midrash. They help us understand our Jewish faith. They help guide our lives with Jewish wisdom.

Another person came before Shammai and said to him: “Convert me on the condition that you teach me the entire Torah while I am standing on one foot.” Shammai pushed him away, swinging at him with a yardstick. The same person then came before Hillel. He converted him and said to him: “What is hateful to you do not do to another; that is the entire Torah, all the rest is commentary. Now go and study.” (Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 31a)

Years later these questioners gathered together and reflected on their experiences. They said, “Shammai’s impatience sought to drive us from the world; Hillel’s patience brought us beneath the wings of the Divine Presence.” We learn that even the most seemingly ridiculous question might lead to greater understanding. If it serves as an entry to more learning, to a life of meaning then it is not demeaning of even the greatest of scholars.

True learning begins with a question. And good teaching starts with patience.

The sages advise: “A person should always be patient like Hillel and not impatient like Shammai.”

I have come to learn. There is a little of Hillel in each of us. There is a little of Shammai in all.

And the Torah continues to demand: “Love your neighbor as yourself!” (Leviticus 19)