“. . . every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” Matthew 13:52

Spirited debate plays a crucial role in the history and culture of the Jewish people.  Let’s take a look at a lengthy argument that took place about two thousand years ago.  The story is found in the Talmud, tractate Eruvin, page 13b:

For three years there was a dispute between the House of Shammai and the House of Hillel, the former asserting, “The proper practice is in agreement with our views.” And the latter contending, “The practice is in agreement with our views.” Then a voice from heaven announced that “Both these and those are the words of the living God, but the practice is according to the rulings of the House of Hillel.”

“The House” means “the disciples of.” The disciples of Shammai and of Hillel argued for three years, back and forth, back and forth. Now, that’s an argument! Oddly, we’re not even told what they were arguing about.  But, then again, they argued over just about everything, usually taking exactly opposite positions.