praise – The Tree of Life

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).