Hillel the Elder, often simply referred to as Hillel, was a Jewish religious leader and sage who lived during the late Second Temple period, around the first century BCE to the early first century CE. He is one of the most significant figures in Jewish history and is renowned for his contributions to Jewish law and ethics. Although Hillel is not directly mentioned in the Bible, his influence is evident in the development of Jewish thought and practice, which in turn has had a lasting impact on Christian theology and ethics.

Historical Context and Life

Hillel was born in Babylon and later moved to Jerusalem to study Torah. He became a prominent teacher and eventually the head of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. His life and teachings are primarily recorded in the Talmud, a central text of Rabbinic Judaism. Hillel is often contrasted with his contemporary, Shammai, another leading Jewish teacher. The two founded opposing schools of thought, with Hillel's teachings generally characterized by a more lenient and compassionate approach compared to the stricter interpretations of Shammai.

Teachings and Influence

Hillel is best known for his emphasis on the ethical and moral dimensions of the Torah. One of his most famous teachings is the "Golden Rule," which he expressed as: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. Go and learn it." This teaching closely parallels the words of Jesus in the New Testament: "In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12).

Hillel's approach to the interpretation of the Torah was marked by a spirit of humility and openness. He advocated for the study of the Torah as a lifelong pursuit and encouraged his students to engage with the text deeply and thoughtfully. His teachings emphasized the importance of love, peace, and humility, values that resonate with the Christian message.

Hillel and the New Testament

While Hillel himself is not mentioned in the New Testament, his influence can be seen in the teachings of Jesus and the early Christian community. The parallels between Hillel's "Golden Rule" and Jesus' teachings suggest a shared ethical foundation. Additionally, Hillel's emphasis on love and compassion aligns with the core message of the Gospel.

Hillel's method of interpreting the Torah, which prioritized the spirit of the law over the letter, is reflected in Jesus' own approach to the Jewish law. For example, Jesus often challenged the Pharisees and other religious leaders for their strict and legalistic interpretations, advocating instead for a more compassionate and understanding application of the law.

Legacy

Hillel's legacy is profound and enduring. His teachings continue to be a cornerstone of Jewish ethics and law, and his influence extends into Christian thought as well. The principles he espoused—love, humility, and the pursuit of peace—are universal values that have shaped religious and moral discourse for centuries.

Hillel's life and teachings remind believers of the importance of approaching Scripture with a heart of compassion and a mind open to understanding. His legacy encourages a faith that is lived out in love and service to others, reflecting the heart of both Jewish and Christian teachings.Hillel

he that praises

Hillel

(praise), a native of Pirathon in Mount Ephraim, father of Abdon, one of the judges of Israel. (Judges 12:13,15)

Praising, a Pirathonite, father of the judge Abdon (Judges 12:13, 15). HILLEL

hil'-el (hillel, "he greatly praised"; Septuagint Ellel): An inhabitant of Pirathon in the hill country of Ephraim, and father of Abdon, one of the judges of Israel (Judges 12:13, 15).

1985. Hillel -- "he has praised," father of a judge of Isr.
... 1984b, 1985. Hillel. 1986 . "he has praised," father of a judge of Isr.
Transliteration: Hillel Phonetic Spelling: (hil-layl') Short Definition: Hillel. ...
/hebrew/1985.htm - 6k

Appendix xix. On Eternal Punishment, According to the Rabbis and ...
... referred), the first Rabbinic utterances come to us from the time immediately before
that of Christ, from the Schools of Shammai and Hillel (Rosh haSh.16 b ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xix on eternal punishment.htm

Education of Jesus.
... We may suppose, however, that the principles of Hillel were not unknown
to him. Hillel, fifty years before him, had given utterance ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter iii education of jesus.htm

Jesus in the Temple.
... In the preceding generation Hillel had presided over the school or university in
which all who became doctors of the law were expected to take their course. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus in the temple.htm

His Decision on the Question of Divorce. --Celibacy. (Matt. , xix,
... One of them concerned the interpretation of the Mosaic law of divorce, and was
chiefly disputed between the schools of Hillel and of Schammai. ...
/.../section 224 his decision on.htm

Paul Before his Conversion.
... He received a learned Jewish education at Jerusalem in the school of the Pharisean
Rabbi, Gamaliel, a grandson of Hillel, not remaining an entire stranger to ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 30 paul before his.htm

The Personal History of Herod - the Two Worlds in Jerusalem.
... It was also under the government of Herod, that Hillel and Shammai lived and taught
in Jerusalem: [594] the two, whom tradition designates as the fathers of old ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the personal history.htm

The Second Series of Parables - the Two Parables of Him who is ...
... Rabbinism is never weary of quoting as one of the characteristic sayings of its
greatest teacher, Hillel (who, of course, lived before this time), that he had ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv the second series.htm

Jewish views on Trade, Tradesmen, and Trades' Guilds
... Still, the great Hillel was a wood-cutter, his rival Shammai a carpenter,; and among
the celebrated Rabbis of after times we find shoemakers, tailors ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 11 jewish views on.htm

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... which the objections of Winer, Keil, and Leyrer, in my opinion do not invalidate),
that the baptism of proselytes existed in the time of Hillel and Shammai. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

The Land and the People.
... Rabbi Hillel warned against making gain of the crown (of the law), but also against
excess of labor, saying, "Who is too much given to trade, will not become ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 17 the land and.htm

Pirathonite (5 Occurrences)
... (1.) Abdon, the son of Hillel, so called, Judges 12:13, 15. ... Judges 12:13 After
him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. ...
/p/pirathonite.htm - 9k

Abdon (8 Occurrences)
... Servile. (1.) The son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, the tenth judge of Israel
(Judges 12:13-15). He is probably the Bedan of 1 Samuel 12:11. ...
/a/abdon.htm - 13k

Pirathon (2 Occurrences)
... a-thon-it (pir`athon, pir`athoni; Codex Vaticanus Pharathom; Codex Alexandrinus
Phraathom, Pharathuneites): The home of Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite ...
/p/pirathon.htm - 8k

Pira'thonite (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pira'thonite (2 Occurrences). Judges 12:13 After him Abdon
the son of Hillel the Pira'thonite judged Israel. (DBY RSV). ...
/p/pira'thonite.htm - 6k

Hillel (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HILLEL. ...Hillel (2 Occurrences). Judges 12:13
After him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel. ...
/h/hillel.htm - 7k

Scribes (85 Occurrences)
... Rabbi Zadok said: "Make the knowledge of the Law neither a crown in which to glory
nor a spade with which to dig." Hillel used to say: "He who employs the ...
/s/scribes.htm - 49k

Keys (2 Occurrences)
... Hastings, etc.). The strict school of Shammai bound many things loosed
by the laxer school of Hillel (Broadus, Matthew). Is this ...
/k/keys.htm - 32k

Unwashen (3 Occurrences)
... The schools of Shammai and Hillel, though usually differing on points of tradition,
agreed on the washing of hands as necessary for ceremonial purification ...
/u/unwashen.htm - 8k

Judgeth (37 Occurrences)
... Israel ten years, (YLT). Judges 12:13 And after him, Abdon son of Hillel,
the Pirathonite, judgeth Israel, (YLT). Judges 12:14 and ...
/j/judgeth.htm - 16k

Lawyer (5 Occurrences)
... Frequently a single lawyer of great rank, as for instance Hillel or Gamaliel I,
might pronounce dicta of unquestioned recognition with as much authority as a ...
/l/lawyer.htm - 14k

What were the Shammaite and Hillelite interpretations of Jewish Law? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Pharisees? | GotQuestions.org

Who were Tola, Jair, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon? | GotQuestions.org

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