משנה אבות ד כא – Rabbi Elazar HaKefer says, jealousy and lust and honor takes a person out of this world. First, he loses his mind the devil takes over and second, he loses the world to come.

And Korach took (16:1) Our Sages teach (Avos 5:17), “A dispute that is for the sake of Heaven will stand in the end. A dispute that is not for the sake of Heaven will not stand in the end. What is [an example of] a dispute for the sake of Heaven? A dispute between Beis Hillel and Beis Shamai. What is a dispute not for the sake of Heaven? The dispute of Korach and his company.” The Ksav Sofer notes that our Sages should have referred to this dispute as being “between Korach and Moshe.” By characterizing the dispute as that of Korach and his company, our Sages are showing us an important and basic difference between disputes that are for the sake of Heaven and those that are not. When the difference of opinion is for the sake of Heaven, each side is unified in its position, and will maintain it and not swerve from it, because each side argues for the sake of Heaven. Each believes that the truth is with him. Each person on his “side of the fence” is supportive of his fellow, and each side “pulls” together in the same direction. Therefore, their positions remain firm, so the dispute “stands in the end.” In contrast, when a dispute is not for the sake of Heaven, each person involved has personal motivations for adopting his position. Selfish interests mix in, creating a scenario where by those on the same side are not unit[1]ed! Everyone is at odds, and there is no peace on either side “of the fence.” Such a dispute “will not stand in the end.” After a while, those involved will see that it is impossible that everyone even in the same camp can get his way. Therefore, people lose enthusiasm for their stance. They eventually stop arguing and the dispute dies out on its own. In short, this dispute pitted Korach against his company just as much as it pitted Korach against Moshe! To show us that Korach’s side was made of many individuals all pulling in different directions because of motivations “not for the sake of Heaven,” the Sages called this dispute that of Korach and his company! This type of argument will never stand in the end!

Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Jonathan Horowitz

There is a story told about 2 competitive neighbors:

Ruven and Shimon, both are very wealthy, they live right next door to each other and each one always tries to outdo the other. One day Ruven gets a stretch Limo and hires a SOUFER to take him back and forth to his business. On the first day at the traffic light by Ocean Parkway and Church Ave. Ruven see Shimon Cadi pulling up and he stop right across from him, opens the window hunks to get Shimon attention and tells him, Hay Buddy look I just got this great deal on this stretch Limo at the Cadi dealership isn’t it beautiful? Shimon is shocked a Stretch Limo! Wow! And tells Ruven yes, it’s beautiful, interesting I just put a deposit on one too.

And a way Ruven goes to work but Shimon goes to the Town Cadi dealership and buys a beautiful stretch Limo as well.

The next morning Shimon can’t wait to meet Ruven and he meets him at the very same traffic light, he opens his window, hunks to get Ruven attention and tells Ruven look I just got my stretch Limo, what do you think? Ruven tells him its beautiful, and by the way do you have a computer room there? Say What! Shimon asks Ruven! you have a computer room? Yes, said Ruven it is state of the art with Bluetooth, Wi Fi with satellite connection, this way I don’t waste any time I can work while traveling.

That very day Shimon speeds up to the dealer and tells him I want a computer room state of the art with Bluetooth and WiFi Satellite connection! And I want it NOW! The dealer tells him you know it’s very very expensive! I don’t care said Shimon, and Boom they build Shimon a great new state of the art computer room with Bluetooth and WiFi with Satellite connection.

In the very next morning, again Shimon can’t wait to meet Ruven and so they meet again at the light and Shimon opens up the window and hunks and tells Ruven! Hay Buddy, I got the computer room its amazing. Wow that’s nice, did you get the exercise room? Say What! you have an exercise room? Yes of course with this long trips we take now you got to have one.

That very day Shimon speeds up to the dealer and tells him I want an exercise room! I must have one! and the dealer tells him you know it’s very very expensive! I don’t care said Shimon, and Boom they build Shimon a great new state of the art exercise room.

In the very next morning, again Shimon can’t wait to meet Ruven and so they meet again at the light and Shimon opens up the window and hunks and hunks and Ruven is not opening up, and Shimon keeps honking again and again and finely Ruven opens up the window slightly and asks Shimon what’s Up Buddy? And Shimon tells him Hay Buddy, I got the Exercise room! and this time Ruven gets mad at Shimon and tells him! for this you got me out of the shower!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eli Mansoor