Jealousy, Covetousness, Nonstealing...

By any name, envy is wrong in world religions.

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Jewish texts explain that envy is not just wanting what one doesn't have. It includes these qualities: longing for another's possessions, discontent with one's possessions because one prefers those of another, and the appropriation of the property of another. (See

. As Rabbi David Wolpe



, the Jewish High Holiday literature describes envy as "narrowness of vision," which includes being unable to recognize the success of others. Like the Jewish

concept of greed

, there are instances when envy can be good, as it can increase people's motivation to do better.

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