Berakhot 139

For many generations the two groups worked together without the encumbrance of separate organizations. But the long reign of Herod [37-4 BCE], with its bitterness, its absolutism and its subservience to Rome, aroused the dormant nationalism of the provincials and lower patricians. Acting on the principle established by his Roman masters, divide et impere, the astute king showed special favour to the peace-loving plebeians, fomenting dissension between them and their patrician colleagues.

The factional quarrel became more bitter when, immediately after the death of Herod, the nationalists sought to destroy his dynasty. He had designated his son, Archelaus, as his successor, but before the new king could go to Rome for confirmation by the Caesar, the pilgrims, who had gathered in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration, declared a revolt against him… He sent his whole army against the rebels, killing three thousand of them and dispersing the rest to their homes. Having apparently settled the rebellion with this decisive blow, Archelaus sailed for the imperial capital with a light heart. Little did he realize the depth of the resentment against his father's house. His absence enabled the nationalists to increase their forces and prepare better plans. Their boldness rose with their enthusiasm. They would drive from the country not only the Herodian, but his Roman masters. They would restore the glorious days of the Maccabean theocracy. Their war-fever infected even the Sanhedrin, which now voted for war. "On that day, Hillel sat bent before Shammai, like one of the disciples," records the Talmud; "and," the pacifist chronicler adds, "it was as grave a catastrophe for Israel as when they made the Golden Calf." [Shabbat 17a]

Shammai, however, did not content himself with the victory for his foreign policy; he took advantage of the situation, as party men are wont to do, to force also the acceptance of his social and ceremonial program. "If you anger me, I will declare impurity also against the gathering of olives," he cried out to Hillel, who had apparently been outvoted, if not temporarily removed from office…

It was probably during this Passover, while the nationalists controlled the approaches to the Temple, that there occurred the almost incredible incident of Hillel's narrow escape from physical violence at the hands of the enthusiastic Shammaites. The old sage had brought a whole burnt offering to the Temple on a festival day, and had put his hands on its head in accordance with the usual custom. In the eyes of the Shammaites, his action constituted a double offense… Being apparently in control of the outer courts of the sanctuary, the excited partisans of Shammai gathered about Hillel threateningly when they saw him violate their traditions…

Seeing his danger, Hillel resorted to stratagem. "It is not a whole burnt offering," he said, "but a peace offering." This mitigated the offense, and during the discussion which ensued about the other half of the charge, Hillel made his way to safety…

Encouraged and strengthened by their victory in the Sanhedrin, the nationalists gathered in hosts for the next pilgrimage, that of Pentecost, which occurs six weeks after the end of Passover. They seized the Temple mount… thus completely surrounding the Roman garrison in the center. A terrific battle ensued, in which hundreds of nationalists were slain, the cloisters surrounding the temple courts were burned, and the festival celebration was broken up. Yet the uprising was not crushed until Varus, Governor of Syria, came into the country with two additional legions, burned several important towns, entered Jerusalem and crucified two thousand rebels.

Mishnah: The following are the halakhot resolved upon in the first story chamber of Ĥananya ben-Ĥizkiya ben-Garon, when they went up to visit him and took a vote, and Bet Shammai outnumbered Bet Hillel. Eighteen laws were decreed on that day.

Gemara: That day was as difficult for Israel as the day upon which the [Golden] Calf was made… Disciples of Bet Shammai stationed themselves below and killed disciples of Bet Hillel [in order to thus create the majority]. Six of them went up and the rest stationed themselves with swords and spears.