House of Shammai
Encyclopedia
The House of Shammai was the school of thought of Judaism
founded by Shammai
, a Jewish scholar of the 1st century. A non literal translation that perhaps gives a better flavour of the expression would be The Academy of Shammai.
The House of Shammai was the most eminent contemporary and the halachic
opponent of the House of Hillel
, and is almost invariably mentioned along with him. Both Houses are mentioned in the Talmud
, where all of the discussions between the houses are listed, including some stories. It is the eighth most frequently mentioned in the Mishnah.
In respect of their religious interpretations, it was said that the school of Shammai binds
; the school of Hillel looses
, but even though Hillel
and Shammai
had strong arguments, they respected each other. Indeed, the Talmud records that the two schools intermarried.
Modern day Rabbinic Judaism
almost invariably follows the teachings of Hillel, but there several notable exceptions in which the view of Shammai is followed to this day.
and Shammai
had was about the grace after the meals (Birkat Hamazon
, Hebrew
: בירכתּ המזון). The question was: "What happens when you forget to say the blessing after you finished your meal and you left the place where you ate?" Hillel said that you can say the blessing anywhere, the important thing is to say the blessing while Shammai argues that you have to go back to the place where you ate the meal and say the blessing there.
.
Hillel
states that on the first night of Hanukkah, one should use one candle, and then increase that by one each night, culminating in eight flames on the last night of the festival
.
The stated rationale for this was as a general rule in halacha (Jewish
religious law), one may increase in holiness, but not decrease.
Beit Shammai held the opposite opinion. That we should begin with eight candles and gradually reduce to one.
Their opinion was based on the halachic principle that allows one to derive law using similarities. The Sukkot
(Tabernacles) offerings in the Temple
in Jerusalem involved 70 bullocks
, reducing by one each day from 13 down to 7.
is the "new year for trees" for the Jews. According to the Mishnah
, the House of Hillel
holds that the new year for trees is on the 15th of the Jewish month of Shevat
. The House of Shammai said that it should be on the 1st on Shevat.
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
founded by Shammai
Shammai
Shammai was a Jewish scholar of the 1st century, and an important figure in Judaism's core work of rabbinic literature, the Mishnah....
, a Jewish scholar of the 1st century. A non literal translation that perhaps gives a better flavour of the expression would be The Academy of Shammai.
The House of Shammai was the most eminent contemporary and the halachic
Halakha
Halakha — also transliterated Halocho , or Halacha — is the collective body of Jewish law, including biblical law and later talmudic and rabbinic law, as well as customs and traditions.Judaism classically draws no distinction in its laws between religious and ostensibly non-religious life; Jewish...
opponent of the House of Hillel
House of Hillel
The House of Hillel , also known as the Academy of Hillel, founded by the famed Hillel the Elder, is a school of Jewish law and thought that thrived in 1st century B.C.E.Jerusalem. The House of Hillel is most widely known for its hundreds of disputes with the Beit Shammai, founded by Shammai, a...
, and is almost invariably mentioned along with him. Both Houses are mentioned in the Talmud
Talmud
The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
, where all of the discussions between the houses are listed, including some stories. It is the eighth most frequently mentioned in the Mishnah.
In respect of their religious interpretations, it was said that the school of Shammai binds
Binding and loosing
Binding and loosing is an originally Jewish phrase which appears in the New Testament, as well as in the Targum. In usage to bind and to loose mean simply to forbid by an indisputable authority, and to permit by an indisputable authority...
; the school of Hillel looses
Binding and loosing
Binding and loosing is an originally Jewish phrase which appears in the New Testament, as well as in the Targum. In usage to bind and to loose mean simply to forbid by an indisputable authority, and to permit by an indisputable authority...
, but even though Hillel
Hillel the Elder
Hillel 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...
and Shammai
Shammai
Shammai was a Jewish scholar of the 1st century, and an important figure in Judaism's core work of rabbinic literature, the Mishnah....
had strong arguments, they respected each other. Indeed, the Talmud records that the two schools intermarried.
Modern day Rabbinic Judaism
Rabbinic Judaism
Rabbinic Judaism or Rabbinism has been the mainstream form of Judaism since the 6th century CE, after the codification of the Talmud...
almost invariably follows the teachings of Hillel, but there several notable exceptions in which the view of Shammai is followed to this day.
Forgetting to say grace after meals
One of the discussions that HillelHillel the Elder
Hillel 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...
and Shammai
Shammai
Shammai was a Jewish scholar of the 1st century, and an important figure in Judaism's core work of rabbinic literature, the Mishnah....
had was about the grace after the meals (Birkat Hamazon
Birkat Hamazon
Birkat Hamazon or Birkath Hammazon, , known in English as the Grace After Meals, , is a set of Hebrew blessings that Jewish Law prescribes following a meal that includes bread or matzoh made from one or all of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt...
, Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
: בירכתּ המזון). The question was: "What happens when you forget to say the blessing after you finished your meal and you left the place where you ate?" Hillel said that you can say the blessing anywhere, the important thing is to say the blessing while Shammai argues that you have to go back to the place where you ate the meal and say the blessing there.
The Hanukkah candles
One of the well-known differences between the houses is their insight on setting up the Menorah (candelabrum) for HanukkahHanukkah
Hanukkah , also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE...
.
Hillel
Hillel the Elder
Hillel 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...
states that on the first night of Hanukkah, one should use one candle, and then increase that by one each night, culminating in eight flames on the last night of the festival
Festival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
.
The stated rationale for this was as a general rule in halacha (Jewish
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
religious law), one may increase in holiness, but not decrease.
Beit Shammai held the opposite opinion. That we should begin with eight candles and gradually reduce to one.
Their opinion was based on the halachic principle that allows one to derive law using similarities. The Sukkot
Sukkot
Sukkot is a Biblical holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei . It is one of the three biblically mandated festivals Shalosh regalim on which Hebrews were commanded to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem.The holiday lasts seven days...
(Tabernacles) offerings in the Temple
Temple
A temple is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer and sacrifice, or analogous rites. A templum constituted a sacred precinct as defined by a priest, or augur. It has the same root as the word "template," a plan in preparation of the building that was marked out...
in Jerusalem involved 70 bullocks
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
, reducing by one each day from 13 down to 7.
Tu Bishvat
Tu BishvatTu Bishvat
Tu Bishvat or Tu B'Shevat is a minor Jewish holiday, occurring on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat . It is also called "The New Year of the Trees" or...
is the "new year for trees" for the Jews. According to the Mishnah
Mishnah
The Mishnah or Mishna is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah". It is also the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism. It was redacted c...
, the House of Hillel
House of Hillel
The House of Hillel , also known as the Academy of Hillel, founded by the famed Hillel the Elder, is a school of Jewish law and thought that thrived in 1st century B.C.E.Jerusalem. The House of Hillel is most widely known for its hundreds of disputes with the Beit Shammai, founded by Shammai, a...
holds that the new year for trees is on the 15th of the Jewish month of Shevat
Shevat
Shevat is the fifth month of the civil year and the eleventh month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. It is a winter month of 30 days...
. The House of Shammai said that it should be on the 1st on Shevat.
See also
- ShammaiShammaiShammai was a Jewish scholar of the 1st century, and an important figure in Judaism's core work of rabbinic literature, the Mishnah....
- HillelHillel the ElderHillel 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...
- TalmudTalmudThe Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism. It takes the form of a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, philosophy, customs and history....
- TorahTorahTorah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five books of the bible—Genesis , Exodus , Leviticus , Numbers and Deuteronomy Torah- A scroll containing the first five books of the BibleThe Torah , is name given by Jews to the first five...
- HanukkahHanukkahHanukkah , also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE...
- MishnahMishnahThe Mishnah or Mishna is the first major written redaction of the Jewish oral traditions called the "Oral Torah". It is also the first major work of Rabbinic Judaism. It was redacted c...
External links
- Modern Hanukkah Menorah.