Curious Tales of the Talmud: The Great Debate

The classic example of a machloket (argument) is the historic disputes that occurred between the Academy of Hillel and the Academy of Shammai, whose views differed in nearly every aspect of Jewish life and law. Hillel's approach was characterized by Chesed - kindness, or leniency, while Shammai's was dominated by Gevurah - severity, or lack of tolerance for mediocrity. A person who has more Gevurah is not unforgiving or rigid. He sees the potential in others and refuses to settle for anything less. Chesed takes another view. The one who possesses it understands that people sometimes need—perhaps undeservedly— kindness, an encouraging word, or a helping hand. Curious Tales of the Talmud: a new six-week course by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute. Find out more at: http://www.myJLI.com