Shammai

Shammai , c.50 BC-c.AD 30, Jewish sage known for his opposition to the liberal teachings of Hillel . He and his school interpreted the Law extremely rigorously, emphasizing deed rather than intent. The conflict between the schools of Shammai and Hillel continued long after their leaders' deaths, with the school of Hillel gaining ascendancy after AD 70. However, a number of Shammai's decisions were adopted by all as authoritative.

Bibliography: See L. Ginzberg, On Jewish Law and Lore (1955).

Shammai (c.50 BCE–c. 30 CE). Jewish rabbinic leader. Shammai was a contemporary of Hillel and together they were the last of the zugot (pairs). He was the founder of the great school of Bet Shammai which was known for its stringent attitude towards the law, but Shammai himself does not always seem to have taken a hard line in the halakhot transmitted in his name.

Shammai A rabbinical teacher in the time of Jesus. He gave a rigorous interpretation of the Law, contrasting with the more relaxed and liberal views of Hillel. Those of the Shammai school were often in conflict with the Roman authorities, and after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE were much diminished in influence and numbers. The dispute about divorce (Matt. 19: 1–9) must be understood against the background of rabbinic controversy about Deut. 24: 1. It puts the Christian position in the Shammai camp but with an exceptive clause (19: 9) which greatly liberalizes its rigorism.