The Life and Teachings of Hillel [Hardcover]

Yitzhak Buxbaum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2000

The Life and Teachings of Hillel provides the most comprehensive treatment ever published of one of the greatest figures in Jewish tradition. Yitzhak Buxbaum weaves together the various stories about Hillel along with his teachings and sayings to develop this ground-breaking portrait, shedding new light on Hillel's illustrious career, fascinating life, and profound teachings. Hillel is one of the most important and popular of the talmudic sages, yet he is mostly known only in the context of two or three popular stories told about him. Such stories as teaching the "Golden Rule" of Torah "while standing on one foot," and his saying, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me, and if I am for myself alone, who am I," have eclipsed a more complete view of Hillel's influence and significance.


In the rabbinic tradition, there is much debate between the teachings of the school of Hillel and that of his contemporary, Shammai. Hillel is often seen as the more tolerant, softer teacher, with his teachings representing what we consider "normative" Judaism. Often, the traditions passed down to modern times are a result of the rabbis' reconciliation of the two schools, so that Hillel's pure teachings have been lost. The Life and Teachings of Hillel separates out Hillel's teachings and looks at them independently of Shammai's. Studied on their own, it becomes evident that Hillel was actually much more radical and "hasidic" than is commonly thought. While he is known for representing the gentler, more loving side of Judaism, in this work his pious radicalism is also apparent. Readers will be charmed and fascinated by Hillel's fiery gentleness. The Life and Teachings of Hillel offers new information about a radiant religious figure, and it also recovers a side of Jewish tradition that has been lost to most people.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Yitzhak Buxbaum's book is a comprehensive study of the quotations and comments found in rabbinic literature about Hillel, who is probably the best known of the ancient sages. In an era of growing religious extremism, Hillel's liberalism in interpreting the halacha could perhaps serve as a beacon to modern-day rabbis to follow in his pious and liberal footsteps.... (Jerusalem Post )

Hillel, the oft-quoted sage who lived sometime between the second quarter of the last century B.C.E. and 10 C.E., is captured from all perspectives through his teachings. Some biographical details emerge, but the emphasis is on his gentle personality which suffused his teachings. It is this aspect which the author finds to be so attractive to contemporary Jews. Sample chapter titles are: Charity and Peace; Hillel and Herod; The Humble Man; Hillel's Teaching Style. The book ably demonstrates why Hillel's teachings were so influential and are still so popular. (Jewish Book World )

The extraordinary nature of Hillel comes to life in the pages of this book. A long needed spiritual biography of one of the greatest talmudic teachers and religious figures is presented to us in a clear and inspiring fashion. (Rabbi Michael Strassfeld )

The Life and Teachings of Hillel is a treasure of information relating to all aspects of Jewish life. It is well researched and very well documented. The book brings to life an entire historical period with its giant leaders. It is amazing how much of Hillel's teachings are still applicable in modern times. Any adult Jewish book collection will benefit from the addition of this volume. It is a joy to read! (Association Of Jewish Libraries )

Yitzhak Buxbaum's book is a comprehensive study of the quotations and comments found in rabbinic literature about Hillel, who is probably the best known of the ancient sages. In an era of growing religious extremism, Hillel's liberalism in interpreting the halacha could perhaps serve as a beacon to modern-day rabbis to follow in his pious and liberal footsteps. (Jerusalem Post )

About the Author

Yitzhak Buxbaum is a maggid, a Jewish inspirational speaker and storyteller, and directs a program to train people to be maggidim. He is the author of ten books, including Jewish Spiritual Practices and The Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov. Maggid Buxbaum has a website, "The Jewish Spirit Online," at www.jewishspirit.com. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 392 pages
• Publisher: Jason Aronson, Inc. (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568210493
• ISBN-13: 978-1568210490
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,657,773 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

My first love was Zoology and my original goal was to become a university professor. I received a B.S. in Biology from Cornell University in 1964 and then entered the PhD. program at the University of Michigan. Because of the turmoil surrounding the Vietnam War, all my goals and plans changed. I dropped out of school after receiving my M.S. in Zoology and passing my PhD. exams. From that time my direction changed, and I was seeking meaning in life. I began to read, first the world's great literature (something I'd not previously done) and then came to focus on Philosophy. I was in the PhD. program in Philosophy at Boston University for a year and a half. Finally I came to see that the place to discover meaning was in Religion, not Philosophy. I became Jewishly conscious and then turned to Religion.
After contact with Judaism through Martin Buber's writings and then Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, I entered a Lubavitcher yeshiva. I studied there for half a year; I entered as an atheist and came out a religious Jew ' although I don't identify with any denomination. Later, I lived in Israel (Jerusalem) for two and a half years -- working, living, learning Hebrew. For almost thirty years I was close to Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, my Rebbe. I have been studying Torah intensively for all that time and have become knowledgeable, particularly in Jewish Mysticism, Hasidism, and especially hasidic stories. Stories were an important part of my own entrance to Judaism, are my special spiritual nourishment until today, and as a result I became a "spiritual storyteller." Shlomo gave me s'micha (ordination) as a maggid (inspirational speaker and storyteller) and later, so too did Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi. Devoted to helping Jews see the beauty of Judaism, I have made efforts as a maggid, teaching and telling stories in synagogues, Y's, Hillel's etc. I have taught in settings of every denomination -- Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Havurah, Renewal. I also teach courses in Jewish Mysticism at The 92nd St Y. in New York City.
Three years ago, wanting to spread the transmission I received as a maggid from Rabbis Shlomo Carlebach and Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, I began a program to train people to come maggidim. The two-year program, for both men and women, is a great success, and very gratifying to me. Over the last two terms, I have ordained six people to spread God's light. If you're interested in such work, please contact me!
Aside from working as a maggid -- teaching and storytelling -- my main effort has been in writing. I have written ten books. My newest book, The Light and Fire of the Baal Shem Tov, which I'm so excited about, is the only comprehensive book in English about this greatest Jewish mystic!
I sometimes describe myself as a "spiritual Jew." I try to be open, inclusive, and non-judgmental. My goal is be a Jew myself and to inspire other people to become committed, spiritual Jews -- "spiritual," meaning that they know the essence of religion. I have friends across the Jewish religious spectrum. I have broad Jewish sympathies and also broad ecumenical sympathies. As a Jewish teacher, I try to provide a bridge not only between different kinds of Jews but also between Jews and people of other faiths. I could use your blessings to continue my work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much-needed resource, April 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Life and Teachings of Hillel (Hardcover)

With this book, Buxbaum provides a much-needed resource on the person generally recognized as the founder of rabbinical Judaism. He does a great service by giving the reader the historical, social/political, and religious context for the sayings attributed to Hillel -- both those that are well-known and those that are obscure.

Buxbaum also points to Hillel's more compassionate, inclusive interpretations of religious law as a helpful and appropriate counterpoint to the more legalistic approach of his contemporary, Shammai.

This volume is intended for the intelligent (and faithful) lay reader, rather than the scholar, but both will benefit from reading it. It brings to life a man of great influence and learning. It also revives a great tradition within Jewish life and thought.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book about a Truly Great Man, May 4, 2006

By 

Daniel A. Spiro "Author of The Creed Room and... (Bethesda, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Life and Teachings of Hillel (Hardcover)

Hillel is one of the greatest men who ever lived, and yet it is incredible how little most people -- even most Jews -- know about him. Commonly associated with a couple of glib quotations (e.g., "if I am not for me, who will be; if I am only for me, what am I?"), Hillel is perhaps the perfect bridge between Judaism and Christianity. That is nowhere more apparent than from reading Buxbaum's wonderful book.

In my own research concerning Jewish philosophy, I repeatedly go back to Buxbaum to rekindle my love for Hillel. Whether the reader is a high school student or a Jewish scholar, it is difficult to imagine not being touched by the example that Hillel provides. If I could take five Jewish books with me to a deserted island, this assuredly would be one of them.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good book for the home library, April 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Life and Teachings of Hillel (Hardcover)

Mr. Buxbaum gives a very thorough account of Hillel and the circumstances surrounding his life. I found that the discription of his teachers and the state of Israel at the time to be very insightful in understanding some of Hillel's well known phrases.

My only negative criticism is that many things in the book are repeated over and over again, giving the impression that Mr. Buxbaum had a pre-set number of pages he needed to fill. Basically, it could have been shorter.

In all, I got a lot out of reading this book.