However, even when discussing positive commandments and good deeds, if his sole reason for doing them is to climb in level of greatness and to overtake others, this is also an evil sickness. It appears from the Zohar that such people are members of the “Erev Rav” (Egyptians who joined the Jews when they exited Egypt and caused much trouble), and it is because of this that this person is upset when he sees another person who is becoming great, and would prefer that all others would be less than himself. When such a person sees someone who minimizes his service of Hashem, he will be happy in his heart that he himself has remained higher than his friend (according to his understanding). This constitutes a great evil, for if we know that someone who rejoices at his friend’s misfortune in this world is described as “One who rejoices at his fellow’s misfortune will not be acquitted!”, all the more so one who rejoices at his friend’s misfortune in spiritual affairs (when his friend does not achieve what he should), and in so doing angers his Creator. Such a person seems to hate his Creator and want him to be upset, G-d forbid.

One who has this bad characteristic will be very upset when he hears someone else being praised for his wisdom and deeds. However, when he hears someone being belittled, he will be pleased, and he will also try to say bad things about holy people, and many other things result from this bad characteristic.