I continue to be amazed....

I think most everyone has heard the phrase, "If not now, when?" For some reason, I thought this was some 20th century self-help, take action, coaching phrase.

In my recent listening to some lectures on CD by New Testament scholar Amy-Jill Levine, I learned that this quote is from the famous Pharisee Hillel, back in the days of the early first century C.E.:

"If I am not for myself, then who will be for me?
And if I am only for myself, then what am I?
And if not now, when?"

I just love this stuff!