How severe is jealousy?

Answer 1

The sefer Orchot Tzadikim relates the following parable to show the severity of jealousy. There was once a man who was jealous of his neighbor for his wife and some of his possessions. One Friday he heard his neighbor had left on a business trip. That night, the jealous neighbor broke down the wall separating the 2 houses (thus breaking the 4th commandment of Shabbat). He then went in to the house and took his neighbors wife (thus breaking the 10th commandment of not being jealous of your friends possessions) and had relations with her (thus breaking the 7th commandment of adultery). After having relations, he then sought to steal some money, but the woman went up against him and so he killed her (thus transgressing the 6th commandment of killing). He then stole all the money (thus breaking the 8th commandment of stealing, as well as the 10th commandment of jealousy). After the incident, his parents came to rebuke him for what he had done, and out of anger he struck them (thus transgressing the 5th commandment of honoring your parents). Later on he was taken to court and testified falsely with witnesses (thus breaking the 9th commandment of not bearing false witnesses). After that people started approaching him regarding the matter and to every individual he swore falsely (thus breaking the 3rd commandment of not saying Hashem's name in vein). Out of frustration over the incident, he decided to join a new religion and began serving idols (thus transgressing the 2nd commandment of not serving other gods) and completely denied God's existence (thus breaking the 1st commandment of serving God). We see from this incident that through jealously once could come to transgress all of the 10 commandments.

Additionally, the sefer Orchot Tzadikim relates the following parable: A king once went up to 2 of his servants and told them that he would grant them any one of their wishes. However, the king said that whatever the first man asked, the second would receive double. The first servant thought of asking for a large sum of money. However, the servant thought to himself, were he to ask for a large sum of money, his friend would receive double the amount. Therefore, the servant instead asked the king to take out one of his eyes so that the other servant would lose both of his eyes! We see clearly from here the extent that man will go simply in order to possess more than his friend, and thus be able to receive honor.

Furthermore, Rabbi Moshe Chayim Luzzatto (Mesilat Yesharim) writes that the desire for honor is stronger than any of the other desires in the world. If not for honor, Rabbi Luzzatto writes, all people would be content with whatever level of livelihood they have. We therefore see that jealousy comes as a result of one not feeling they are receiving the proper dose of honor. And how severe is jealousy and seeking honor? The Mishna (Pirkei Avos, 4;20) states: "Jealousy, lust and honor seeking remove a person from the world." Therefore, Korach died as a result of his jealousy and honor seeking.