HILLEL I., HA-SAKEN pro, or the GREAT B. SIMON. This extraordinary Rabbi, the second Ezra, or the restorer of the Law, as he is called (Succa, 20, a), under whose presidency Christ was born, and who, by his self-denying and holy life, as well as by his great wisdom and learning, exercised so remarkable an influence both upon the theology and literature of the Jewish nation, and prepared the way for the advent of the Saviour, was born in Babylon about 75 B. c., of the royal family of David. He settled in Jerusalem about 36 B.c., where, not withstanding his renowned lineage, he had to sup port himself by the labour of his hands, and attended at the same time the lectures of Shemaja and Abtalion, who were the heads of the Sanhe drim [EDucATIoN]. So great was his thirst after knowledge that he gave daily half of his scanty earnings to the doorkeeper of the college in order to be admitted to the lectures, and ,,vlien the jani tor would not admit him one day because he had no money to pay, this zealous scholar, rather than lose the day's instruction, climbed up to the win dow, and there sat outside on a bitterly cold winter's day, attentively listening till he was com pletely covered with snow and rendered insensible by the cold. When lie was discovered, though it was on the Sabbath, the students disregarding the sanctity of the day, procured the necessary reme dies, and to their joy restored him to life, and from that day looked up to him as their future guide (72wra, 35, b). He succeeded to the presidency of the Sanhedrim about 30 B.c. His zeal for the Law of God, and his modest honesty, would not, how ever, allow hint to be seated on the presidential throne without plainly telling the spiritual guides of Jerusalem that it was their negligence in study ing, the Law which necessitated them to elect hint. What,' said lie to them, in godly sincerity, has led to it that I, insignificant Babylonian, must be come president of the Sanhedrirn ? Your negligence in attending to the teaching of Shemaja and Abta lion' (Sabbath, 15, a ; Pesachim, 66, b). He had no less than r000 pupils, 80 of whom had more especially distinguished themselves—Jonathan ben Uziel, the translator of the prophets into Chaldee, being the chief, and Jochanan b. Zakkai the least amongst them (Slicca, 2S, a ; Baba Bathra, 134, a). As most of these disciples became the spiri
tual guides of the nation at the advent of Christ, it is most important to give some of the lessons which they were taught by their great master HiIlel, and which they again imparted to the people, in order to see how far these lessons agree with those of tbe Saviour, and how they prepared the minds of the people to receive the teachings of the Gospel. His cardinal doctrine and aim of life were to be gentle, shewing all meekness to all men,' and when reviled not revile again ;' and of this be gave a signal illustration on oneoccasion when one laid a. wager that he would provoke the Rabbi to anger. He went to Hillel and teased him with a number of foolish questions, and seeing that he bore it meekly and patiently, the man began to insult him, but Hillel answered him with uniform kindness, mildness, and forbearance, and tittered not an angry word in reply to the insulting language (comp. Sabbath, 30 a, 31 b, with Titus iii. ; r Pet. ii. 2o-23 ; 9). A heathen appealed to him to tell him one sentence which embodies the whole Law, to which Hillel replied, Whatsoever thou wouldst not that a man should do to thee do not thou to him : this is the whole law' (comp. Sabbath, 3 t, a, with Matt. vii. 12 ; Mark vi. 3r). Let a few more of his maxims suffice : Say not I will repent when I have leisure, lest the leisure should never be thine." If I do not care for my soul, who can do it for me ? If I only care for my own soul, what am I ? If not now, when then ?' (comp. i.
14; Sab. 13, with James iv. 13, 1,1), Do not separate thyself from the congregation, and have no conadence in thyself till the day of death' (comp. Aboth. ii. 4, with 1 Cor. x. 12). Judge not thy neighbour till thou art in his situation' trfboth. ii. 4, with Gal. vi. 1-4). Be of the dis ciples of Aaron, love peace and pursue it, be kindly affectioned to all men, and thus commend the law of God' (Aboth. 1. 12, with Rom. xiii. To). Who soever shall exalt his name, shall abase it ; whoso ever does not strive to the knowledge of the law is not worthy of life ; whosoever does not increase his knowledge decreases it ; whosoever turns the crown of knowledge into filthy lucre shall perish' (AAA. i. 13, with Matt. xxiii. 12).