You must accept the truth from whatever source it comes.”

The tradition of the past is the foundation: without a foundation, it is impossible to build new stories.”

What can he say to him? That the Children of Israel grew weary of the Temple? That the God of Israel despised it? That the prophets of Israel opposed it ferociously? That the sages of Israel established the beit midrash in its place and will never give up the sublime study of Torah in exchange for the blood of slaughtered animals? That every time t

The Pharisees are lenient with the Torah’s commandments through the oral law, but the Sadducees believe only in the written Torah. They regard the commandments of the Torah as permanent and unchanging injunctions that may not be eased.”

In this matter, he actually supports the approach of Hillel, who said again and again, “Be disciples of Aaron – a lover of peace and a pursuer of peace.” We must pursue peace even when it stands in opposition to another obligation, such as, for example, telling the truth. All our lives we are asked to decide between conflicting commandments.

“Everything is foreseen, yet free will is given.

The Nasi of the Sanhedrin must by nature incline toward the middle path – neither overly sensitive nor heartless, neither arrogant nor self-deprecating, neither despotic nor soft, neither frail nor wild. He must possess only two qualities in an extreme form – wisdom and appeal.

“Men cut up the world with sharp knives: ‘Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?’ We – the women – understand moderation and compromise.

History repeats itself. The deeds of the sages serve as signs for their students.