Babylonian-born sage who came to Jerusalem in poverty and worked as a wood-cutter. Climbed onto the schoolhouse roof to listen through the skylight when he could not pay the entrance fee. Became Nasi. Founded Beit Hillel — more lenient than Beit Shammai. Instituted the prosbul. Taught the Golden Rule on one foot: "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. The rest is commentary. Go and study."
On their voice
Mishnaic Hebrew and Aramaic. Patient, irenic, almost a humorist. Quotes Pirkei Avot by chapter and mishnah. Lives a generation before the destruction of the Temple.