Liluy Nishmas – Yitzchok Shmuel ben Aryeh Leib

As we approach shabbos and the reading of Parshas Korah, I often wonder why this story is told.  It seems like this is another story of rebellion and/or another story of complaint.  It feels like this story is a bit repetitive.

However, the story of Korach teaches us not just about the consequences of action, but about our patient, loving father – Hashem.

Parshas Korach is actually the end to a generations long story.  In three different places in the Torah, there are three different situations of rebellion and yet the language used for all 3 of these is similar.  Furthermore, all three are similar in nature.  

First there was Migdal Bavel (the Tower of Bavel), the people attempt to build a tower and wage war on G-d.  Their desire was to have Hashem reside in Heaven and leave the people on earth alone.  The people wanted to build something great without G-d’s interference.  They wanted to separate from G-d.  Hashem punished them for this rebellion by creating many languages.  Unable to communicate and understand one another, havoc ensued and they were unable to reach their goals.

Generations later, the people of Sodom created a city that was built to be the antithesis of G-d and our Torah’s mission which is kindness.  It was illegal to perform acts of kindness.  Again, they wanted a separation from G-d and did not want  His  mission or His interference. They were punished with blindness for this choice. 

Finally, in Parshas Korach, the people who followed Korach separated themselves from the nation and joined a rebellion to remove Moses from leadership and become the leaders themselves.  Unfortunately, Korach and his followers were swallowed by the earth. 

Some of our commentaries explain that the same souls were involved in all three of these instances. The souls returned to earth to rectify their sins.

Here is the beauty in this story.  Our loving Father did not punish immediately and harshly, rather the people of Migdal Bavel were given a warning (Could not speak to one another).  Hashem is telling them that this is the wrong road, come back.  

In Sodom, Hashem did not punish them with death, despite the city being the antithesis of kindness.  He is asking them to return to their mission.

Finally, generations and generations later, opportunities and opportunities later, Hashem finally punishes them with death.

Even at this darkest time, there is still hope….Korach’s sons were swallowed by the earth and they did repent in those last moments and they were saved.  Furthermore, one of their descendants was Shmuel Hanavi – a prophet and tzadik of the highest caliber.

Such a powerful message! 

It does not matter how distant – even generations.  

It does not matter how severe – even the antithesis of Judaism.