For the Love of Money and Hatred of Fellows

R. Yoḥanan ben Torta said: Why was Shiloh destroyed? Due to the disgrace of sacrifices in Jerusalem. The first building [i.e., the First Temple], why was it destroyed? Because of the idolatry, illicit sexual relations, and bloodshed there. But [regarding] the last [Temple], we recognize that they were laboring in Torah and cautious about tithes—so for what reason were they exiled? Because they loved money and hated one another, which comes to teach you that one person’s hatred of another is of great consequence before the Omnipresent; and scripture compares it to idolatry, illicit sexual relations, and bloodshed.