Korach – The Tree of Life

The Rabble Rouser

Motzei Shabbos shiur for parasha Korach 5784 – The Rabble Rouser

“Every dispute that is for the sake of Heaven, will in the end endure; But one that is not for the sake of Heaven, will not endure. Which is the controversy that is for the sake of Heaven? Such was the controversy of Hillel and Shammai. And which is the controversy that is not for the sake of Heaven? Such was the controversy of Korah and all his congregation.” – Pirkei Avos 5:17, sefaria.org

Criticism comes from a place of discontent with one’s own life. As such, it is not a valid form of communication for the sake of the good. Rather, it errs in its negativity that clings to it like a cloak of unrighteousness. Those who tend to point out what is wrong with others are simply not able to bear their own faults. They project their dissatisfaction with themselves onto others. This helps no one; rather, it detracts from the basic integrity of human life. Such is a Korach:

Korach took advantage of the resentment amongst the people after the debacle of the spies. That generation was condemned to pass away by apparently natural means over the next thirty-nine years in the wilderness. Common sense avails in understanding why they were none-to-happy about their fate. What did they have to lose in returning to Egypt versus dying out in the desert?

The members of the assembly of Korah have no share in the World-to-Come, as it is stated: “And the earth closed upon them” (Numbers 16:33), meaning in this world, and also: “And they perished from among the assembly” (Numbers 16:33), meaning in the World-to-Come. – Sanhedrin 109b, sefaria.org

parasha Korach 5783

weekly Torah reading: parasha Korach 5783

“In the morning the L-RD will reveal who is His and who is holy. The one whom He will let come near to Him; will be the one He chooses to come near unto Him.” – Numbers 16:5,

Korach separated himself from the assembly of the H’Shem. He purported to champion the people, inasmuch that he claimed that everyone was holy, saying that Moses and Aaron should not lift themselves “above the assembly of the L-RD” (Numbers 16:3, JPS); yet, commentary explains that Korach wanted Aaron’s position of Kohein Gadol (High Priest) for himself. Therefore, his mass appeal was a ruse, made only to aggrandize himself, and his followers.

In response to the challenge of Korach and his followers, Moshe spoke of a test, whereby “the L-RD will show who are His, and who is holy.” He said, “take ye everyman his fire-pan, and put incense upon them, and bring ye before the L-RD every man his fire-pan, two hundred and fifty fire pans; thou also, and Aaron, each his fire-pan” (Numbers 16:17).

Meanwhile, H’Shem told Moshe, “Speak unto the congregation, saying: Get you up from about the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram” (Numbers 16:24). The earth opened up its mouth, and swallowed Korach, his family, and his followers; they “went down alive into the pit; and the earth closed upon them, and they perished from among the assembly” (24:33). “Fire came forth from the L-RD, and devoured the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense” (24:35).

Moshe and Aharon, as well as the kohanim (Aaron’s sons), and the Levites were chosen by H’Shem; however, Korach and his followers challenged that decision. The price they paid may seem steep; yet, if the rebellion had not been quenched, G-d’s plan would have been overthrown. Moreover, one lesson to be learned for ourselves is as follows: instead of praising ourselves, like the haughty Korach, we should seek to please H’Shem within the parameters He has bestowed upon us, in regard to our calling in life (see also Proverbs 21:2, 27:2).

dvar Korach 5782

parasha Korach 5782

“O G-d, the G-d of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt Thou be wroth with all the congregation?” – Numbers 16:22, JPS 1917 Tanach

It is written in Pirkei Avos that every controversy that is for the sake of heaven will endure, while every argument that is not “in the name of Heaven” will not endure. The discussions between Shammai and Hillel are an example of those that endure. The dispute of Korach was a rebellious argument that was not destined to endure (Pirkei Avos 5:20). Rather, Korach was destined to be punished from the beginning of human history, inasmuch that the mouth of the earth that swallowed Korach and his followers is said to have been created on twilight of Shabbat Eve (Pirkei Avos 5:9).

Korach separated himself from the assembly of H’Shem. He purported to champion the people, inasmuch that he claimed that everyone was holy, saying that Moses and Aaron should not lift themselves “above the assembly of H’Shem” (Numbers 16:3, JPS 1917 Tanach); commentary explains that Korach wanted Aaron’s position of Kohein Gadol (High Priest) for himself. He did not recognize that both Moshe and Aaron were G-d appointed; rather, he felt that they unfairly took the positions of leadership for themselves. His accusation revealed his own intent.

With the rebellion looming over Moses and Aaron, poised to overthrow them, H’Shem told Moses and Aaron to separate themselves from the congregation, so that He might destroy the entire congregation. Yet, Moses interceded on behalf of the people; in doing so, he addressed G-d as “the G-d of the spirits of all flesh.” In other words, Moses appealed to G-d, Who knows the hearts of all men, including their thoughts, inasmuch that in this specific case, He knew who was loyal to Him, and who was disloyal. So, Moses pleaded on behalf of the people that G-d would distinguish between the conspirators, and those of the people who still trusted in Him. As a result of Moshe’s heartfelt prayer, G-d decided to limit the extent of the punishment only to the guilty. This connotes G-d’s sense of justice, as well as His attribute of mercy.

“Behold, the eye of the L-RD is toward them that fear Him, toward them that wait for His mercy.” = Psalm 33:18, JPS 1917 Tanach

dvar Korach 5781

B”H

dvar for parashas Korach 5781

“O G-d, the G-d of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt Thou be wroth with all the congregation?” – Numbers 16:22, JPS 1917 Tanach

“Behold, the eye of the L-RD is toward them that fear Him, toward them that wait for His mercy.”

Psalm 33:18, JPS 1917 Tanach

drash Korach 5781

parashas Korach 5781

“And he spoke unto Korah and unto all his company, saying: ‘In the morning the L-RD will show who are His, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near unto Him; even him whom He may choose will He cause to come near unto Him.”

Numbers 16:5, JPS 1917 Tanach

Korach separated himself from the assembly of H’Shem. He purported to champion the people, inasmuch that he claimed that everyone was holy, saying that Moses and Aaron should not lift themselves above the assembly of H’Shem (Numbers 16:3, JPS 1917 Tanach); yet, commentary explains that Korach wanted Aaron’s position of Kohein Gadol for himself. Therefore, his mass appeal was a ruse, made only to aggrandize himself, and his followers.

In response to the challenge of Korach and his followers, Moshe spoke of a test, whereby H’Shem will show who are His, and who is kadosh [holy] (see above). He said, take ye everyman his fire-pan, and put incense upon them, and bring ye before H’Shem every man his fire-pan, two hundred and fifty fire pans; thou also, and Aaron, each his fire-pan (Numbers 16:17).

H’Shem told Moshe, Speak unto the congregation, saying: Get you up from about the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Numbers 16:24). The earth opened up its mouth, and swallowed Korach, his family, and his followers; they went down alive into the pit; and the earth closed upon them, and they perished from among the assembly (24:33). Fire came forth from H’Shem, and devoured the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense (24:35).

The fire pans were gathered up, “and they beat them out for a covering of the altar,” as a reminder that only those who are “of the seed of Aaron, [may] draw near to burn incense before the L-RD” (Numbers 17:4-5, JPS). Yet, inasmuch that on a symbolic level, prayer is likened to the incense service, today we may always offer up our prayers to the L-RD, whether in a communal setting, or through hisbodedus (personal prayer). Our avodas (service) is the prayer of the heart.