VOLUME 106 NUMBER 6
Tamuz 4, 5783
June 23, 2023
PARSHAS KORAC H
Candlelighting Time 8:12 PM
When we observe the actions of people of eminent stature and witness their massive errors, it is difficult to perceive how they were so mistaken. Yet, it is incumbent upon us, the later generations to gear up and attempt to clarify that which is seemingly beyond our scope. Korach was one of the greats of his generation. The Sages define him as one who merited to carry the Aron, the Ark, from the Mishkan on his shoulders when they traveled from place to place in the desert. Obviously, his stature was incredibly impeccable and he was deserving of much honor and nobility. Still, he proceeded to confront Moshe, until now the acknowledged leader of the nation, claiming that he was an imposter and fabricated all that he had presented to the nation as a valid transmission from Hashem.
Our Sages explain that Korach was driven by jealousy. His cousin was awarded a coveted position that he felt deserving of and the rest is history. What it interesting to note is the response of Moshe. He attempted to contact the opposition and iron out their adversities, but they were unwilling to come to the table. The Midrash relates that Moshe even lowered himself to approach their tents with intent to mollify them, yet they would not meet with him. As the ‘head of state’ he was not required to humble himself and on the contrary they should have shown respect for the leader of the generation, yet it was to no avail, they were unable to reassess and concede that they were mistaken until it was too late.
At this point in the controversy, Moshe took a calculated risk to relieve the hostility. Although he was not sanctioned by Hashem, Moshe declared that if Korach and his assembly are wrong in their claims against him, then a hole should open up and swallow the opposition. And if that doesn’t occur, then it will serve as a proof that Korach is indeed genuine and Moshe is definitely not the rightful envoy of Hashem’s message to the people! Moshe went so far as to state that if they die, but it is a normal death that also will be an indictment against him!
Meshech Chochma reflects upon the challenge that Moshe presented. Why was it necessary to place all his ‘cards’ on the table and remark that everything he had done until now was not at the behest of Hashem? And he explains that Korach was not just arguing with Moshe about the validity of Ahron as the High Priest, rather his contention was that Moshe was not really the servant of Hashem and his ambassador, on the contrary, everyone was entitled to be in that position of authority. Therefore, Korach was actually contesting Hashem Himself so to speak. For if Moshe was truly Hashem’s representative and Korach was in denial, then he was essentially refuting Hashem’s role in the establishment of the hierarchy of the nation. And that was really a full-scale frontal assault on Hashem which, of course, was intolerable. Therefore, Moshe deduced that any other option than a total assailing against Korach would not successfully suppress the rebellion which threatened to destroy the very constitution of the nation. He adds, perhaps hand in cheek, that Korach swallowed his true intentions proposing that he only meant for the welfare of the nation, therefore he was consumed as well by the hole in the ground. Hashem metes out His punishments an eye for an eye.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
When Moshe summoned Doson and Aviram to meet with him their response was that even if you blind us, we will not come. The power of a heated argument can be so strong that indeed it can blind people.
CHOFETZ CHAIM
GOOD SHABBOS
