Elul Thoughts

What is a “dispute for the sake of Heaven”? Is that designation only for weighty matters? Is it possible for something as simultaneously meaningful and trivial as Marvel versus DC or Star Trek versus Star Wars to also be disputes “for the sake of Heaven”?

Some commentaries to Pirkei Avot 5:17 would indicate that the designation is for serious matters such as halakhah, Jewish law, or Torah. Bartenura’s commentary notes that the goal was to arrive at the truth. 
Another definition is based on the way opponents conduct themselves. In the Talmud a three-year dispute between the students of Shammai and the students of Hillel is ended when a bat kol, a heavenly voice, intervenes, and sides with Hillel. Why? 

It is because the students of Hillel were kind and gracious. They taught their own ideas as well as the ideas from the students of Shammai. Furthermore, they even taught Shammai's opinions first (Eruvin 13b:10-11).
Their argument was conducted with an attitude of respect, a curiosity about counter arguments, and a desire to learn.

Arguments about sports teams or movies are seemingly trivial. Yet, I would categorize them as disputes “for the sake of Heaven”, depending on approach. How can we learn without practice? Examples of arguing for the sake of arguing or for the sake of power are legion. Engaging in disputes with respect for our opponent, curiosity, and passion requires practice. Something to consider when we disagree about the small stuff that everyone is passionate about.