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Sometimes a person enjoys a good life and is perfectly happy with what he has, unaware that his friend possesses something that he himself lacks. When he finds out about his fellow, he becomes jealous and is no longer satisfied with his own lot. There is no logic to envy. Jealousy makes a person ignorant and foolish. If his friend did not have this extra possession, he would be happy with what he has. Since, however, he now sees what his fellow has, he is upset. Yet why should what another person has disturb him? What good does it do to be jealous?
Of course, the source of the matter is a lack of faith. A person who has faith does not become jealous. Such a person knows that everything comes from God, that the Creator gives every person exactly what he ought to have. He understands that everything is for the best, and "no man can touch what is prepared for his fellow even to the extent of one hair's breadth" (Yoma 38b). The believer does not become jealous and would gain no enjoyment by having what his fellow possesses.
Pathways in Personality Development (52)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
23 - 23. Anger
24 - 24. Jealousy
25 - 25. The Pursuit of Honor
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It is wrong to compare oneself with others because no two people are alike, not in appearance and not in character. Every person is a unique and inimitable creature, and every person has a role of his own according to his own makeup. Each one of us has virtues and vices. It is impossible to measure the virtues of one against the virtues of another, because people are different by nature. One person is intelligent, a second has refined character traits. One is healthy, a second rich.
Another reason that it is impossible to compare two people is that nobody knows what the future will bring. Things may appear to be going good for somebody at the moment, but who knows what will be tomorrow. And the opposite as well, things may not be looking good at present, but tomorrow everything could change for the better.
Why envy another person's temporarily good fortune? So long as a person cannot see things with the sort of comprehensive and complete view that examines past and future and grasps everything as a whole, there is no reason to envy another or to want to be like him. It is not at all certain that he is really any better off. To the contrary, it is certain that each one has exactly what he needs, and each is definitely entitled to be happy with his lot.
In short, jealousy stems from a narrow and limited view of things. A person becomes jealous because he does not see the future or the past but merely looks at a certain detail which appears to indicate that his fellow is better off. Discard this narrow view of things and avoid the suffering.
Sometimes, however, jealousy can be helpful. It can rouse a person from slumber and stimulate him to progress. Therefore, the sages teach that "emulative zeal increases intelligence." Indeed, jealousy that stimulates a person is a positive thing, but it is nevertheless preferable to find other methods of inspiration and self-fulfillment. Progress needs to come from an inner impulse and not from a desire to obtain what somebody else has.
Therefore the sages teach: "In the period of the footsteps of the Messiah, the wisdom of scholars will disappear. This, apparently, is on account of the fact that it comes from emulative zeal and jealousy causes decay. And regarding the Days to Come it is written: "The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim" (Isaiah 11:13).
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Some of the translated biblical verses in the above article were taken from, or based upon, Davka's Soncino Judaic Classics Library (CD-Rom).
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
