Hillel: If Not Now, When? (Jewish Encounters Series) Hardcover – September 14, 2010

The author, who has written many remarkable books about Judaism, thinks it is relevant to do a biographical take on Hillel, because Hillel is arguably the greatest rabbi of the Talmud and still considered probably the greatest of Jewish sages. And, because Hillel was a moderate in interpreting Jewish law, is even more important now because Judaism seems to be at a crossroads of surviving because the Diaspora has lead to so much intermarriage and the resultant reducing the percentage of Jews and hence, Jewish values, among the world's population. Fundamentalism is fine for some, but not for all Jews. Plus, Telushkin points out that Jewish law doesn't just come from the Torah and Jewish bible, the written law, but also the oral bible, rabbinical writings of the Talmud, etc. Judaism never was a frozen religion and so the importance of Hillel is just as important, if not more so, now, as it has been over the about 2000 years. So, some things I found worth noting from the book are........1. We don't know of Hillel's mom, dad, or wife.2. The contemporaneous rabbi, Shammai, a fundamentalist, would drive many potential converts away and had many disputes with Hillel.3. Years of Hillel's religious leadership - 30 BCE -10 CE. beloved for legal daring, passion for learning, openness to converts, and imaginative acts of kindness. He was poor, hungry for learning and knew literally what it was like being on the outside looking in. He didn't judge people by wealth or social status, but achievements - acts of human kindness are what to begin with. His rise to leadership occurred after the brutal Herod became King of Israel in 37 BCE.4. Hillel famous for "That which is hateful to you, do not do unto your neighbor, all the rest is commentary. Now go study" when approached by a potential convert and wanting him to summarize Judaism. The reason for the negative twist on the golden rule is because it is easier to follow than the positive. e.g. One really can't mourn the death of someone else's dad as much as one would their own.5. Because people hood is what separates Judaism from other faiths, that is why Ruth, a convert, who is a an ancestor of King David and supposedly the messiah will descend from David, is so important to Judaism. That is why Hillel is so open to converts, being too restrictive could block the emergence of many great Jews. Also, romantic attraction is OK, like relating to non-Jew marrying a Jew. Tikkun Olam - therefore greater chance to improve the world using Jewish values.6. Sometimes obeying laws can have unintended negative consequences like honoring one's parents might encourage some to want to be orphans.7. Author attributes 5 traits to Hillel - a) extreme patience b) moral imagination c) optimism d) nonjudgmental nature e) intense curiosity.8. Sometimes lying can be a virtue - like at a wedding and complimenting bride on her beauty.9. Argument is good, because sometime literal interpretation can be the more liberal - as with marriage, fundamental rules more protective of women.10. Although Hillel preceded Jesus by 2 generations, Hillel was the most significant Jew of Jesus' time, so likely influenced him. Jesus still believed in the binding laws of the Torah and said "Don't imagine that I have come to abolish Law (Torah) or the prophets" to disciples. But, more striking are differences - a) Hillel for knowledge, Jesus not, extols prayer b) Jesus forgives all c) Jesus a pacifist, Judaism - resist the wicked d) Jesus said one can reach G-d only through him, Judaism, one has a personal relationship with G-d. So, Hillel a moderate, Jesus a radical. Jesus: "If anyone comes to me without hating his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, and his own life, too, he cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14-26). Also, sell everything and give to the poor to get to Heaven.11. Hillel, teaching is so important that Jewish schools should have easy admittance. The highly impatient teacher (overly strict) shouldn't teach. One who is bashful will never learn / questioning is important - grows both the student and teacher.12. Hillel, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? and if I am only for myself, who am I?" - call for moderation.13. The only way to grow is to continually study.14 Not a lot of talk of the afterlife in Judaism, because Egypt and their "Book of the Dead" led to distorted views. Also, led to torture during the Inquisition.15. Hillel's 7 Middot for interpreting biblical law.- a) conclusions drawn from lenient laws applying to stricter ones, b) comparing similar words to explain different biblical passages, c) general principle applying to all related ones, d) when general law followed by specific only specific applies, e) opposite of "d)", f) interpret word or passage based on context, g) inferences drawn from elsewhere.

Even though this book was written for a Jewish audience, it's also a good read for any Christian who wants to know more about the kind of instructions Jesus received in the synagogue as a child (since he was likely influenced by Hillel).Just keep in mind that it is written by a Rabbi so comparisons explaining Christian beliefs vs Judaism may seem lacking, presumably for the sake of brevity and because it is written for a Jewish audience. Nevertheless I found Christian food for thought here, not the least of which is something the Christian community largely chooses to ignore.Jesus has, in fact, been stripped of his Jewish context. In my opinion, Christians have been robbed in the process having had deeply meaningful and significant Passover symbology replaced with the Easter Bunny and so on, but much worse things occur whenever truth is compromised.I have always wondered how a book (New Testament) written mostly (if not entirely) by Jewish authors about a Jewish teacher and pacifist (Jesus) who Christians literally worship and adore could be used to justify violence against members of the Jewish race? Or violence at all for that matter, but I digress.One has to wonder if the holocaust would have occurred if by the 19th century, the image of Jesus had not been distorted to the point where he was largely perceived to be Aryan? What if his Jewish context had been celebrated in our churches rather than downplayed (as well it should have been since Christianity did spring from Judaism, and we believe Jesus is the promised Jewish Messiah)?I could go on and on about various thoughts this book provoked but I will simply end by saying that to me a good book is one that makes me think, and in my opinion, there is food for thought here for Christians as well as Jews.

This is a brilliant little book on Hillel and Shammai. These two early Jewish sages were involved in two different points of view on interpretation of Torah. Hillel's key to Torah interpretation might be 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. Shammai's might be 'Love God with all your strength' The two interpretive modes do intellectual battle. This book is an excellent introduction to their lives and arguments. There is a chapter on Jesus as a third Jewish teach arriving soon after Hillel dies and in the last years of Shammai. As a Jewish Rabbi, Joseph Telushkin spends no real effort to understand Jesus within this conversation of ancient Jewish sages. Instead, Jesus is merely tossed aside as an inconsequential and poor Torah interpreter. I prefer the view of Jewish Scholar, David Flusser, on how Jesus fit into 1st century Judaism. Try "The Sage from Galilee: Rediscovering Jesus' Genius" by David Fusser to integrate Jesus into Jewish thought. Or "Jesus" by Flusser.

The book is not specifically written either for Jews or Gentiles. As a non-Jew myself, this is the first time I’ve read a book on Judaism. Neither do I have any Jewish friends (as I live in Asia). I have heard of Hillel though, particularly the anecdote about summarizing the Torah. And that is what attracted me initially to read this book. It goes to explain the anecdote in more detail and gave me a better understanding of Hillel’s teachings far beyond the anecdote. Many of things, I find, can be applied to my life as a non-religious person.

Anyone interested the Talmud, or anyone interested in the Jewish school of thought typified by Jesus of Nazareth, should buy this book.Hillel went head-to-head with another Rabbi of his day. Both are represented fairly in these stories. A loving, gentle soul, Hillel is still quoted to this day. I had heard of Hillel, and the real possibility that Jesus Christ was influenced by his school, and could hardly wait to have this book in my collection.It's an excellent read, just by itself. Story after story follows the life of Hillel, a humble man who has passed into the realm of Jewish lore. Who doesn't love stories?

Rabbi Telushkin's look at the impact and influence of Hillel is simply a mitzvah to read. Brilliant, yet brief...a must