Shammai the Elder
Shammai
Era of the TannaimShammai the Elder, Av Beit Din and counterpart of Hillel, was known for his strictness and careful deliberation. He was the founder of the House of Shammai. He taught: “Make your Torah study a fixed practice.”
Biography
Shammai the Elder, Av Beit Din and counterpart of Hillel, was known for his strictness and careful deliberation. He was the founder of the House of Shammai. He taught: “Make your Torah study a fixed practice.”
Life Story
Childhood
From Jerusalem.
Teachers
Shemaya and Avtalyon.
Students
The sages of the House of Shammai.
Key Events
The disputes between the House of Hillel and the House of Shammai.
Influence
He founded the House of Shammai, which sharpened and refined halakhic discourse.
Death
He passed away in Jerusalem.
His Way and Views
Torah Study
He insisted on fixed regularity in Torah study.
Halacha
The House of Shammai was known for stringent rulings.
Faith
Fear of Heaven.
Ethics
Receive every person with a pleasant countenance.
Character
Strict in outlook and careful in conduct.
Famous Quotes
"Make your Torah study a fixed practice."
"Receive every person with a pleasant countenance."
Famous Stories
A convert came before Shammai and asked to be taught the entire Torah while standing on one foot. Shammai pushed him away with the builder’s measuring rod in his hand. He then went to Hillel, who said to him: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow—this is the whole Torah; the rest is its explanation.”
Students
Teachers
Grave Site
Timeline
Birth
Av Beit Din
Passing