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Concept
Shammai
Summary
Shammai (50 BCE – 30 CE, שַׁמַּאי, Šammaʾy) was a Jewish scholar of the 1st century, and an important figure in Judaism's core work of rabbinic literature, the Mishnah.
Shammai was the most eminent contemporary of Hillel. His teachings mostly agree with those of Hillel, except on three issues. Both were divided over an earlier rabbinic dispute, regarding the actual laying on of hands upon a sacrificial animal on a Festival Day, which Hillel permitted. Their disciples, who had differing views to their masters, disputed many other halakhic matters. The School of Shammai, founded by Shammai, is almost invariably mentioned along with the School of Hillel, founded by Hillel. They differed fundamentally from each other. Although they were contemporaries, Hillel was nearly sixty years old at the time of Shammai's birth.
Shammai, along with Hillel his contemporary, took on oversight of the Sanhedrin sometime after Abtalion and Shemayah relinquished power.
Shammai's school of thought became known as the House of Shammai (בית שמאי, Beit Shammai), as Hillel's was known as the House of Hillel (Beit Hillel). After Menahem resigned from the office of Av Beit Din (or vice-president) of the Sanhedrin, Shammai was elected to it, Hillel being at the time president. After Hillel died, circa 10 CE, Shammai took his place as president but no vice-president from the minority was elected so that the school of Shammai attained complete ascendancy. During this time Shammai passed "18 ordinances" in conformity with his ideas. The Talmud states that when he passed one of the ordinances, contrary to the opinion of Hillel, the day "was as grievous to Israel as the day when the [golden] calf was made". According to most opinions, the ordinances, which are listed in an appendix to the ArtScroll edition of the Mishnah of tractate Shabbos, dealt with ritual purity of the Terumah and increased separation between Jews and Gentiles.
Hillel's grandson Gamaliel succeeded to the position of president after Shammai in 30 CE, but the Sanhedrin would remain dominated by the house of Shammai until around 70 CE (see Council of Jamnia).
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