B”SD
Korach
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Despite the fact we are all holy we still need to recognise those individuals greater than us.
There are arguments for the sake of heaven like that of
Hillel and Shammai and then there are arguments for one’s own needs and
desires, these goals are not always synonymous with Hashem’s will and in fact
are often a form of denial of Hashem’s will.
Hashem is the ultimate giver, he created the world to give to us, so we
could recognise and appreciate all he bestows on us, we are all individuals
with unique abilities and talents, but sometimes we loose sight of this and we want
something that is not meant for us, and as a result we allow ourselves to feel we deserve something, even if it has not come to us with G-d’s blessings. We end up taking
for ourselves, even that which is not rightfully our blessing and thus usually at
the cost of another. The verse Numbers
chapter 16 states
“Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi took along with Dathan and
Abiram” The Tanchuma indicates this is a hint to his self-interest, he took!
V2 They confronted Moses together with two hundred and fifty
men from the children of Israel, chieftains of the congregation,
representatives of the assembly, men of repute.
V3 They assembled against Moses and Aaron, and said to them,
"You take too much upon yourselves, for the entire congregation are all
holy, and the L-rd is in their midst. So why do you raise yourselves above the
L-rd's assembly?"
Rabbi Aurbach spoke on why the Parsha of Korach was placed
next to the chapter of Tzitzit. There is
a Midrash that tells us that Korach and his assembly approached Moshe wearing
four cornered garments made entirely of the majestic Blue threads (reminding us
of the Heavens and the vast oceans and thus a vision of G-d's Kingship) but the
garment they wore contained no fringes, this was against the teaching that
Moshe had instructed them, we are commanded through Moshe’s instruction from
Hashem to wear fringes containing a blue thread on all four cornered garments,
Korach argued to his assembly and to Moshe: “You see Moshe if our entire
garment is of this blue wool the fringes are not needed.” Moshe insisted that
despite their fine garments being made of this majestic blue wool they still
needed the fringes, but Korach scoffed at him and said “You make up the Law, it
is your own desire, not Hashem’s, your argument is not Logical, why do we need
the fringe if the entire garment is made of the Blue holy fibres (The Midrash is
hinting at Korach’s frame of mind - the idea is if we are all Holy why focus on
the individual threads that protrude from the rest of the Garment). On a deeper level he was arguing all Jews are
holy and therefore why did Moshe and Aharon place themselves before and above the
rest of the people. In doing so he
discounted Moshe's greatness and the fact that Hashem had selected him for his
humility and loyalty, and leadership. Korach
should have been happy he was part of Kohas the tribe privileged to be allowed
to carry the Ark of Hashem, but Korach wanted to be number 1, he wanted a
better place than the one he had been destined to hold, so Ego took over. We learn from Chazal the jealousy arose when
he had not been made head of the tribe of Kohas, his father’s younger brother’s
son Elitzofon Ben Uziel had been given this honour. This caused him upset, his
emotions got in the way and led to a denial of the greatness of Moshe and this
was Korach’s downfall because Moshe and Aaron represented what G-d wanted. He was thus in a fight against G-d not
the Leaders.
Korach was correct all the nation was holy, but Hashem in his
wisdom chose within the nation other’s that he in his infinite wisdom knew to
be correct for the job - holy individuals that stood out in spirituality and
knowledge, they were not all equal, that was Korach’s mistake G-d made
individuals, he blessed them with their own uniqueness and ability to grow. People
develop at different paces. Only G-d
almighty truly knows how great and suited a person he is, and thus bestows the
gifts and honour accordingly. Korach had
seen enough to know objectively that Moses was chosen, yet he let his emotions
and his own visions of grandeur deny the fact. Even great people need to
recognise and accord honour to those even greater than they. Korach at the outset was righteous, he was
learned and held and kept all the Mitzvahs, but his heart and eyes led him
astray. Jealousy within resulted in him
picking a fight with the greatest of all prophets in Israel being Moshe. We
learn here a very serious sin it is to disparage those who are righteous and
learned – no matter what, when you are dealing with holy people act very carefully.
This led to his eternal suffering and
ruin! Even the babies went down with
him, how tragic is strife and those it surrounds.
It was not without warning
- Moshe had warned the wicked assembly, stating bring an offering in the
Morning (giving them time to reflect and repent) but Korach continued to
encourage them against Moses, who falls on his face – he had prayed for the
Nations survival after the Sin of the calf, again after they complained about
food and a third time after the incident of the spies, the Tanchuma said now
his leadership was being challenged Korach was challenging Hashem, as a leader Moses
was weakened, he did not have the power to intercede once again for individuals,
(I think this is a good reason to never separate yourself from a righteous
community,) after all the nation had seen, but Moses does try something, he buys
them time to repent – he does so by telling them do not bring your offering to
Hashem until morning, then they would see the one who Hashem favours. Remember the assembly had seen what had
happened to Nadav and Avihu when they brought an incense offering, not
commanded by Hashem directly. But alas they do not hear the message, without wisdom they
suffer a terrible end, all because of an individual who created strife, due to
wanting to be something he was not destined to be! Rabbi Aurbach stated how do we know if an
argument is for the sake of Heaven, in such a case the people communicate and
talk to each other, we try and convince each other for the sake of Hashem. When
it is selfish desire, or power seeking that drives people, people often refuse to talk, they just
stir the pot, and slander the opposition, often leading to tragic events.
Our actions should always be for the sake of Heaven and please G-d we
should always respect and appreciate those greater than us for this is truly wisdom
that G-d desires if he it to dwell among us.
Have a good Week
Michael
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