Parshat Korach
CARLSBAD, California — This week we read Parshat Korach. The portion is named for an extremely evil man. In many ways Korach can be considered the antithesis of Moses, although ironically they both hailed from the Tribe of Levi, and were therefore cousins. If Moses was the paradigm of humility, Korach represents conceit. If Moses was the epitome of selflessness, Korach stood for selfishness. Yet, as is often the case with charlatans, Korach accused Moses of precisely the sins of which he himself was guilty.
The Torah tells us that G-d instructed Moses that Aaron would be the first Kohen Gadol, High Priest, and that Aaron’s progeny would from then on be the Kohanim. Korach was disappointed. He felt that due to his elevated station in life — being born into a prominent family and a Levite, and being fabulously wealthy — he should have more honor within the Jewish nation. As an aside, Moses was also disappointed, as he wished to be a Kohen and not ‘just’ a Levite as well. However, Moses had a virtue that Korach could not even imagine – Kabbalah Ohl Malchut Shamayim / Accepting the Yoke of Heaven. Moses accepted the fact that at the end of the day (actually at the beginning of the day too) G-d knows better, and that oftentimes we must set our own agendas aside in favor of the Almighty’s will. Moses did that willingly; Korach would not.
Korach demonstrated the ‘skill’ of demagoguery with his claims that Moses was engaged in nepotism in elevating Aaron (thereby denying G-d’s choice to make Aaron the Kohen). He slyly didn’t argue that he wanted the position himself although we learn that actually was his goal. Instead Korach (correctly) claimed that all of the people are holy therefore implying that there was no need for a Kohen.
According to Midrash, Korach asked questions of Moses hoping to make him look foolish. What Korach failed to appreciate was the fact that Moses was the faithful messenger who had accurately conveyed the divine commandments. An example of the type of question asked by Korach is, “If a room is filled with Torah scrolls does it need a Mezuzah?” Moses replied correctly that yes, Halacha/Jewish Law dictates that such a room indeed requires a Mezuzah. Korach mocked Moses for giving this answer. By the way, the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of blessed memory, explains that the location of the Mezuzah has profound significance, as it represents the fact that we take the divine blessing brought about by the Mezuzah with us, as it were, even when we travel outside of the protection of our homes.
Ultimately Moses offered a challenge to Korach and his 250 rebellious followers. The challenge was that they would bring firepans with incense offerings as would Aaron. The incense offering was a very special offering and only a Kohen was authorized to bring it, and only under certain circumstances. When the Kohanic ‘wannabees’ brought the incense, Divine anger was aroused. A fire consumed them and others who had rebelled were ‘swallowed’ together with their possessions into the earth, which miraculously split open.
The story goes from bad to worse. After the obviously divine origin of the destruction of the rebels, many of the Children of Israel blamed Moses for the calamity. The Torah relates that the Creator was ready to destroy the people for their Chutzpah, and yet, they were spared due to the quick-thinking Moses. He told Aaron to offer incense and stand in front of the Jewish people to protect them from the divine retribution. Moses wanted Aaron to clearly demonstrate the incense offering was a life-saving service when done appropriately by the right person.
Again we see the outstanding righteousness of our faithful teacher Moses. He had been accused of all sorts of nefarious plots and schemes. All that he had done for the people had been ignored and actually used against him. And yet, when the people were in trouble, Moses found a way to save them.
Moses sets an everlasting example of Jewish leadership. He always had the best interest of his people in the forefront of his mind — even when his own prestige was at stake. He was willing to give up everything for the sake of his people, even his place in the Torah itself.
And this is what qualified Moses to lead the people.
Incredibly, we find that each of us has a spark of Moses within us. That means we too have the capacity to entirely set our own selfish interests aside. And that is precisely what is needed at this time! We must selflessly look out for the needs of our fellow. It is in this way that we will ultimately lead our people to the Promised Land – in the Era of Moshiach, speedily in our days!
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Shabbos!
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Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort is Director of Chabad at La Costa. Rabbi Eilfort readers’ comments and questions and can be reached via email at RabbiE@ChabadatLaCosta.com.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom