מַחֲלוֹקֶת, division; separation; difference, dissension, strife, faction. Gen. R. s. 4 למה אין כתיב … נבראת המ׳ why are not the words ‘that it was good’ written about the second day of creation?… Because separation was created thereon (Gen. I, 6); אם מ׳ שהיא לתיקונו וכ׳ if to a separation which was made for the establishment and settlement of the world, ‘that it was good’ cannot be applied, how much less to a separation which tends to the confusion of the world! Ab. V, 17 מ׳ שהיא לשם שמים a dissension which is carried on for the sake of heaven (of truth, without selfish motives). Ber. 37ᵃ עד מתי … בין המ׳ how long wilt thou put thy head between contending parties, i.e. why dost thou deviate from the established rule? Ib. 38ᵇ במ׳ שנויה this has been taught under a controversy of opinion. Y. Peah I, 16ᵃ בעלי מ׳ people who create strife. Y. Snh. I, 19ᶜ top בתחלה לא היתה מ׳ וכ׳ in former days there were no conflicting opinions in Israel (they being settled by the Sanhedrin); Bab. Snh. 88ᵇ לא היו מרבין מ׳ וכ׳ they allowed no differences to spread &c.; Tosef. ib. VII, 1; Tosef. Ḥag. II, 9 מַחֲלוֹקוֹת (pl.). B. Bath. 147ᵃ אל תהיו במ׳ do not join a political faction. Hor. 11ᵇ מפני מַחֲלוֹקָתוֹ של וכ׳ (not מחלקותו) on account of the contention of Adoniyah (who claimed the right of succession). Ib. כי איכא מ׳ בעיא וכ׳ wherever there was a contest between claimants, anointing was required; a. fr.—Pl. מַחֲלוֹקוֹת. Sot. 47ᵇ רבו מ׳ וכ׳ the factions in Israel became numerous. Tosef. Snh. l. c., v. supra. Meg. 3ᵃ שלא ירבו מ׳ וכ׳ in order that dissensions may not spread &c.; a. e.