Rabbi Dunner presents the 10th and 11th mishnayot from the first chapter of Pirkei Avot.

Two great leaders headed the Sanhedrin — Shmaya and Avtalyon. Known in Josephus as Sameias and Pollion, these outstanding rabbis were respected across the board, not just by those seeking halachic guidance. Even the brutish Herod, king of Judea, respected and revered them, despite Shmaya chastising him publicly on one occasion in front of the Sanhedrin.

As the teachers of the great Hillel and Shammai, Shmaya and Avtalyon were foundational Talmudic trailblazers, whose wise advice in these two mishnayot are a testament to their phenomenal legacy.