Why was it so important for Yosef Hatzadik to have the Mizbeach in his chelek. I understand that the pesukim refer to the mizbeach in his chelek, but why was he so upset if his brother Yehuda would have had a small chelek of the Mizbeach in his side.
Avi, Passaic NJ USA
I assume that you are referring to Binyamin and not Yosef. It seems that Gashmiyus and Ruchniyus often work in opposite directions. For example, Kin'ah is a terrible Midah, one of the three that drive a person out of this world, and yet Chazal say that Kin'as Sofrim Tarbeh Chochmah (being jealous of someone who learns better than oneself increases knowledge). In other words, whereas jealousy in physical matters is evil, jealousy in spiritual ones is a good Midah.
Having the Beis ha'Mikdash in one's portion is a great Zechus, and we can understand why Binyamin wanted it so much. And if even a little bit of it would be in somebody else's portion, He would be upset and jealous of that person -- a good thing, just as being jealous of a bit of what someone else owns is a bad one.
This is basically correct, though it will not explain why Binyamin wanted to take away the piece of land from Yehudah. That is certainly not a good Midah. To explain this, we will need to say that Binyamin wanted to take the piece of land from Yehudah in defense of the Mizbe'ach, so that the south-eastern corner too should have a Yesod. In fact I think that is what the Agados Maharsha means to say.
B'Virchas Kol Tuv,
Eliezer Chrysler