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July 30, 2010 | 19th Av 5770
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Eilu V'eilu

Eilu v Eilu

Eilu V’eilu
These and Those Are the Words of the Living God

Eilu V’eilu is a weekly communication that involves a dialogue between two scholars and provides for your active participation.

Current Issue

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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For questions or comments regarding Eilu V'eilu, please email eilu@urj.org.

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