There’s a story about R’ Shamshon Wertheimer, who was court Jew for Emperor Leopold, and the Emperor asked him, “why, if Jews are so smart, are they so despised and persecuted?” R’ Shamshon answered, “It’s because of sinas chinam”
The Emperor then went on a hunting trip, and lost his way. He was separated from his servants and horse, and was wandering in the woods in freezing rain. He saw a town and attempted to find shelter, but no one would let him in. Finally he found a house with a mezuzah and the Jewish owner let him stay the night, gave him a hot drink and a fur blanket, and a place near the fire.
In the morning the Emperor asked to Jew to find him a baal agulah who could take him back to Vienna. “I am a baal agulah”, replied the Jew. “Take me to Vienna, to the royal palace, and I will reward you richly”, the Emperor said.
When they reached Vienna, the Emperor told the Jew he could have whatever he wished, but the Jew was not interested. “I can give you lands, estates, the right to build mills, inns, distilleries, bridges with tolls”, but the Jew didn’t respond. “There is only one thing I want,” he said, “in my town there recently came another baal agulah, and his business interferes with my business, I find it irritating that there should be another baal agulah in my town.”
That’s sinas chinam. That’s what Hashem asked Kayin, why are you angry? Because I didn’t accept your offering? Or because I accepted his? It’s human nature to look at what other people have, but the tenth Dibra is to fight against that yetzer, not to covet your neighbor’s house.
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