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Why does Avos 5:20 say that arguments for the sake of heaven should 'endure forever' rather than be resolved? The shiur argues that true shalom bayis preserves differences rather than compromising them. When Yitzchok's conditional love and Rivka's unconditional love both remain fully developed, children benefit from both approaches applied appropriately.
This shiur presents a revolutionary understanding of both the Mishna in Pirkei Avos about machloket l'shem shamayim and the concept of shalom bayis. Rabbi Zweig begins by examining Mishna 20 in the fifth perek of Avos, which states that arguments for the sake of heaven will 'forever endure' (sof lahiskayem). He notes an apparent contradiction: while we typically view machloket as negative, this Mishna suggests that good arguments should endure forever, not be resolved. The Rabbi explores this through the lens of the Dor HaFlaga (Tower of Babel generation) versus the Dor HaMabul (flood generation). Citing Rashi (רש"י), he explains that while the flood generation was completely destroyed for their interpersonal strife, the Tower of Babel generation was merely scattered despite rebelling against God, because they got along with each other. Rabbi Zweig questions why Hashem (ה׳) would separate people whose only virtue was unity, and suggests that scattering them and giving them different languages actually enhanced their individuality and ultimate capacity for meaningful relationship.
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Pirkei Avos 5:20
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Why does Avos 5:20 classify Korach's argument as 'not for the sake of heaven' when he seemed to have noble motives? The shiur reveals that true 'for heaven's sake' actions must respect what the other person actually wants, not just serve pure intentions. This yesod transforms relationships: love without respect treats others as objects for our gratification rather than autonomous beings deserving empowerment.
