(יז) כָּל מַחֲלוֹקֶת שֶׁהִיא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, סוֹפָהּ לְהִתְקַיֵּם. וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, אֵין סוֹפָהּ לְהִתְקַיֵּם. אֵיזוֹ הִיא מַחֲלוֹקֶת שֶׁהִיא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, זוֹ מַחֲלוֹקֶת הִלֵּל וְשַׁמַּאי. וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, זוֹ מַחֲלוֹקֶת קֹרַח וְכָל עֲדָתוֹ:
(17) Every argument that is for the sake of heaven, it is destined to endure. But if it is not for the sake of heaven -- it is not destined to endure. What is an example of an argument for the sake of heaven? The argument of Hillel and Shammai. What is an example of an argument that is not for the sake of heaven? The argument of Korach and all of his congregation.
Translation Modified from Danby's Mishnah (2012)
Korach Summary:
Korach and his followers, Dathan and Abiram, lead a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. God punishes the rebels by burying them and their families alive. God then brings a plague on the people after hearing them complain about Korach and his followers' fates. (16:1-17:15)
Summary Modified from ReformJudaism.org
http://www.reformjudaism.org/learning/torah-study/korach
The Talmud teaches that the arguments between our sages Hillel and Shammai were valued because they were L'Shem HaShamayim, for the sake of heaven. How do we know this?
1. Because they and their disciples maintained good relations with each other, even marrying each other’s children. Their arguments did not include personal attacks.
2. They were motivated by serving God, as opposed to serving their own egos.
3. They truly listened to each other and were open to learning from the other person and their perspective.
4. Both of their opinions, though divergent, were preserved proving the value of each perspective. Though they disagreed, both opinions had merit.
Taken from GUCI Kallah Bet 2016 pp. 5