This kind of intellectual debate is at the
center of our tradition. The term eilu v’eilu comes from the following
Talmudic text:
For three years there was a dispute
between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai, the former asserting, “The law is in
agreement with our views,” and the latter contending, “The law is in agreement
with our views.” Then a bat kol,
a voice from heaven, announced, Eilu
v’eilu divrei Elohim Chayim, “These and those are the words of the Living
God,” adding, “but the law is in agreement with the rulings of Beit Hillel.”
Since both “Eilu v’eilu are the words of the Living God,” what
entitled [the members of] Beit Hillel to have the law fixed according to their
rulings? Because they were kindly and modest, they studied their own rulings
and those of Beit Shammai, and were even so humble to mention the words of Beit
Shammai before their own (Babylonian Talmud, Eruvin 13b).
These and those: two conflicting opinions
can both be valid. And some conflicting views cannot exist without the other.
The phrase eilu v’eilu emphasizes
the incompleteness of any single opinion. The v’, which means “and,” is essential, uniting and complementing the
two opinions without choosing one or compromising the integrity of either. Both
“are the words of the Living God;” the debate between Hillel and Shammai is a machloket l’sheim shamayim, “an enduring dispute in the name of heaven.”
Based on this tradition,
Eilu V’eilu presents divergent
opinions on issues affecting the Jewish experience today. Articles are
presented according to this cycle:
Week 1: Two position papers. You have a
chance to submit your questions.
Week 2: Rebuttals and challenge.
Week 3: Responses to questions from you.
Week 4: Summary.
Materials are archived by topic on the Web
site, along with links for further learning. View
the Eilu V'eilu Archives
Take this opportunity
la’asok b’divrei Torah, “to engage
in Torah study” at a new level.
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