Media as Watchdogs Journalists and Lashon Ha-Ra When Speaking Badly of Someone is Permitted The Severity of Negative Speech Negative Speech, Slander, and Gossip The Prohibition of Excessive Flattery Protest Rebuking for Bad Behavior Judging Favorably Avoiding Revenge and Grudges Reprimanding When Offended Including the Poor and Lonely in Our Celebrations Treatment of the Convert Sensitivity to the Orphan, Widow, and Others Who Suffer Not Hurting or Embarrassing Anyone Human Dignity Honoring the Wise, the Elderly, and Community Leaders Not Belittling People Returning Lost Objects Providing Aid The Interpersonal is the Gateway to God The Inherent Worth of a Human Being Created in the Image of God Jews and Non-Jews Defining the Prohibition to Hate Defining the Mitzva to Love
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Dispute vs. Disagreement for the Sake of Heaven

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Dispute vs. Disagreement for the Sake of Heaven

Hating people is prohibited; fighting or feuding is even more strongly prohibited. For a feud is a deep-seated, long-running dispute which leads to multiple confrontations and draws more and more people into the vortex of hatred. When the animus is directed against a righteous Torah scholar, it is even worse, because it causes the public to turn away from Torah and mitzvot. Worst of all is when a student feuds with his or her teacher. This is why it was so extremely serious when Koraĥ (and his followers) fought against Moses, teacher of all Israel, and humblest of men.

Sometimes people think they are helping their friends or family by joining their vendetta against someone. However, they are really hurting them because they are worsening the feud and fanning the flames of hatred. Real friends try to save their friends from quarrels  that will just be painful and sap their energy.

At the same time, there is value in a disagreement focused on actual ideas, which is not motivated by hatred, and is carried out respectfully. While it can still cause tension and hurt feelings, it does help clarify issues. This type of disagreement is called a “disagreement for the sake of heaven,” and it endures because its purpose is to clarify the truth. Ultimately it will become clear there was some truth on both sides. This is why the Talmudic debates of Shammai and Hillel have staying power. However, when a disagreement is motivated by personal grudges and hatred, neither side has value. Hence it will ultimately not prevail. Before it fizzles out though, it will sap the energies of all those involved.

Making Amends Making Amends Telling the Truth Deception Lying to Preserve the Peace Other Times When Lying Is Permissible Do Not Covet Gratitude Sharing in Joy and in Sorrow Speaking Kindly Greeting Being Sensitive Derekh Eretz Speaking Coarsely Hospitality (Hachnasat Orchim) Being a Good Neighbor Being Part of a Good Community