ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the issue of what might constitute “success” in Jewish education and presents a pivotal Talmudic story. The story that both illustrates and implicitly criticizes the ideal of aloof aristocracy and its attendant lack of sensitivity is about the young man Hillel, an anonymous and poor immigrant to the Land of Israel, having come from Babylonia, who thirsts for learning but cannot afford it. This young man of the final pre-Christian century is, of course, Hillel “the Elder,” who is later to become a model of learning and leadership. In years to come, Hillel is to become president of the highest and most authoritative institution of Torah study and jurisdiction, the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, previously headed by Shemayah and Avtalyon. But although the president and his deputy were appointed for life, a mishnah in tractate Hagigah relates that Hillel’s colleague Menahem left his position as head of the court and was replaced by the renowned Shammai.
