Jesus of Nazareth then introduces a most serious charge against these Pharisees. He quotes them as saying, "We would never have joined in shedding the blood of the prophets, had we lived in our fathers' day." The debate over the "eighteen measures," at which time a number of Hillel's disciples, identified in the Talmud as "prophets," were killed, would have taken place about 20 to 10 B.C.E., or a half century before 30 C.E., when Jesus spoke these words. The members of Bet Shammai present at the debate would have been the fathers of the Pharisees he was now attacking. These Pharisees claimed they would not have done as their fathers (whether it was Bet Shammai themselves, or their allies, the Zealots, who did the actual killing). But, he continues, "Your own evidence tells against you! You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets!" He is referring here to the fact that R. Zadok-a leader of Bet Shammai-joined forces with the Zealot chief Judah the Galilean in 6 C.E., thus proving , that they followed in their fathers' footsteps by aligning themselves with these murderers and assassins
Jesus then accuses these Pharisees of murdering Zechariah ben Berechia ("whom you murdered...") in the Temple. Julius Wellhausen and other scholars have connected this accusation with Josephus' account of the murder of a righteous man named Zechariah ben Berechia on the Temple grounds by the Zealots (Wars 4:335). A major objection to Wellhausen's interpretation has been that Jesus is speaking here to the Pharisees, and not to Zealots. However, since we have established a direct link between Bet Shammai and the Zealots, Wellhausen may be vindicated .
The most impressive proof for my interpretation is the similarity between Jesus' criticism and the Talmudic Sages' statements concerning Bet Shammai (toward the close of the first century C.E., after the Heavenly Voice's intervention against them). Jesus says, "You will draw down on yourselves the blood of every holy man that has been shed on earth." The Talmudic Sages said (Berakhot I IA and Jerusalem Talmud, Berakhot 1:4): "He who observes the teachings of Bet Shammai deserves death." And when the Sage R. Tarfon acted according to Bet Shammai in one instance, the Sages told him (Mishnah, Berakhot IOB) that he deserved to be killed.
More than likely Beit Shammai themselves were not involved in the murders of the members of Bet Hillel, but were criticized for having aligned themselves as the intellectual sponsors of the Zealot terrorists. What had united them, of course, was their common hatred of the Gentile world, personified by their Roman oppressors.
As additional support for my contention that Jesus was attacking Bet Shammai only, and not Bet Hillel.
He begins by exhorting his listeners to do all the Pharisees command them, since "they occupy the chair of Moses." Bet Hillel accepted the rulings of Bet Shammai when the latter constituted a majority. However, Bet Shammai did not view Bet Hillel's decisions as binding even when the latter constituted a majority, as they considered themselves intellectually superior (Yevamot 14A). He thus identifies himself as a follower of Bet Hillel.
Jesus also describes these Pharisees as "straining out gnats, and swallowing camels," a clear reference to Bet Shammai, who were "sharper" (ibid.). (Anti-semites often speak of Jews as being shrewd and practicing casuistry. is this their source?)
Jesus further states concerning these Pharisees that "they tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders," again a clear reference to Bet Shammai, who almost always adopted a more stringent opinion than Bet Hillel.
He also declares that these Pharisees liked to be called Rabbi and reminds his listeners that he who humbles himself shall be exalted. This appears to be a direct reference to a Talmudic passage (Eruvin 13B) which describes the humble members of Bet Hillel as always reciting the opinion of Bet Shammai before their own in the House of Study. The Talmud (ibid.) gives Bet Hillet's humility as the reason the Halakha was eventually accepted in their favor. In this well known statement, Jesus is actually expressing his hope for the return of Bet Hillel to power.
Shortly prior to the attack on the Pharisees, we read in the Christian Bible how some Pharisees got together to disconcert Jesus (Matthew 22). We seem to recognize them as the same disciples of Bet Shammai who grouped together against Hillel at the Temple (Betsah 20A), as well as against one of his disciples (ibid., 20B). There is no record anywhere of a member of Bet Hillel acting in such fashion
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