During the first century BC, Hillel the Elder and Shammai were prominent Jewish rabbis known for their contrasting interpretations of Jewish law. Shammai's interpretations leaned towards strict adherence to temple rituals, while Hillel emphasized compassion and individual welfare. The preservation of both perspectives in Jewish tradition highlights their validity in different contexts. After AD 70, with the temple's destruction, Hillel's more practical interpretations became predominant in normative Jewish law. Jesus' teachings, however, surpassed mere rabbinic interpretations, emphasizing love for God and others as foundational principles (Matthew 22:37–40). Christians thus prioritize the teachings of Jesus over Hillel and Shammai, seeing the Bible as the ultimate source of truth and wisdom for faith and salvation (2 Timothy 3:15–17).
Because Christians follow the teachings of Jesus, they view neither the Hillelite nor the Shammaite interpretation of Jewish law as authoritative and do not follow any particular teachings of the Talmud. The Bible remains our source of truth as "the word of the LORD proves true" (Psalm 18:30) and the Holy Scriptures "are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15).
Throughout the Bible, God repeatedly calls His people to follow His law as an expression of love and obedience. In the Old Testament, passages like Deuteronomy 6:5–9 emphasize the importance of wholehearted devotion to God's commandments, teaching them diligently to future generations. Psalm 119 praises those who walk blamelessly in God's law, finding blessings in keeping His testimonies. In the New Testament, Jesus reaffirms the foundational commandments to love God with all our being and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–40). He teaches that love for Him is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments (John 14:15), which encapsulate principles of righteousness and love for others (Romans 13:8–10). Thus, God's call to follow His law, without rabbinic interpretation, is rooted in loving God and loving others. In doing this, we reflect His character and will for humanity.