Hillel l'Ancien

vers 110 av. J.-C.-vers 10 apr. J.-C. 1st century

Kindness held as the heart of the whole Law, and the gentle urgency of the present moment.

Who was Hillel l'Ancien?

He came from Babylonia to Jerusalem, so poor, tradition says, that he climbed onto the roof of the house of study to listen through the skylight. Becoming a teacher, he founded the school that bears his name, known for its patience and its leaning towards the lighter reading rather than the heavier. His sayings open the small tractate of the Fathers that Jews still read each summer.

In their own words

Be of the disciples of Aaron: love peace and pursue peace, love your fellow creatures and bring them near to the Law.

Mishnah, Pirkei Avot 1:12 (translated from the Hebrew by the Manna team)

If I am not for myself, who will be for me. And when I am for myself alone, what am I. And if not now, when.

Mishnah, Pirkei Avot 1:14 (translated from the Hebrew by the Manna team)

Do not judge your fellow until you have come into his place.

Mishnah, Pirkei Avot 2:4 (translated from the Hebrew by the Manna team)

What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow: that is the whole Law; the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.

Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 31a (translated from the Aramaic by the Manna team)