In this shiur Rabbi Triebitz demonstrates from the Talmud in Pesachim (66b) and also in Rosh Hashana (31a) that the explanation of the Meiri (mentioned last week) is the correct one. Hillel did not introduce new halachos with his midos, but found sources for the halachos by creating the midos.
Rabbi Triebitz shows that this approach of Hillel, to use logic and create a common language for dialogue, is reflected in several other places in Shas, including the three scenarios of the converts who first come to Shamai (who rejects them) and then to Hillel (Shabbos 31b).
Finally Rabbi Triebitz explains how despite the radical change to Judaism and Oral Law wrought by Hillel, it turns out that in fact it is all halacha le-Moshe mi-Sinai (which he proves from the fact that nobody argues with the concept of midos).
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Thirteen Midos Shiur 02 Transcription
[flv:/13midos/m13_02.flv 240 180]
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Thirteen Midos 02
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Thirteen Midos 02