Parashas Korach
I. The Responsibility of a Talmid Chacham
Princes of the congregation, appointed to the assembly, men of
renown…(Bamidbar 16:2)
The Gemara (Sanhedrin 52b) describes how a talmid chacham – a wise man –
appears in the eyes of an am ha'aretz – an ignoramus. The talmid chacham
shines brilliantly, like a golden vessel. However, the Gemara continues,
once the talmid chacham benefits in any way from the am ha'aretz, he is
viewed by him as a clay container which, once broken, is beyond repair.
Rashi comments that this description applies directly to Korach's
relationship to the talmidei chachamim of B'nei Yisrael, who eventually came
to side with him in his rebellion. Korach attempted to incite a revolt
against Moshe and Aharon, accusing them of usurping all leadership for
themselves. Korach, who himself, was a member of Moshe's family and quite a
distinguished individual, had great powers of persuasion over B'nei Yisrael.
He found ways to convince people and bring them over to his distorted ways
of thinking. Yet, in viewing the talmidei chachamim, he felt he could not
reach them. They were truly a shining, golden object in his eyes, steadfast
in their integrity, and tamim – pure – in all their actions.
However, this aura was shattered when Korach invited the wise men to a
meal, and they accepted. The Gemara teaches us that accepting this
invitation was a fatal mistake, for it caused a drastic chance in Korach's
relationship with them. Immediately, their lofty stature was diminished in
his eyes. They no longer seemed invulnerable. Korach felt that he could
now approach them and influence them. He tried, and succeeded.
On one hand, this situation demonstrates what strength lies in respected
individuals. Korach, the great orator and persuader, who dared to challenge
Moshe Rabbeinu, felt the talmidei chachamim were absolutely unapproachable
for he held them in such high esteem.
On the other hand, in one slightly improper action of accepting Korach's
invitation, the wise men shattered their image as pure, invincibly righteous
men in Korach's eyes. He no longer looked up to them and kept his distance.
He approached them, confident he would win them over, and he did. Because
of this miniscule miscalculation in associating with an evil person like
Korach, they eventually were doomed to the same fate as Korach.
We often underestimate our own stature in the eyes of others. It is
difficult to gauge the respect that people have for us, and the commensurate
responsibility that comes with it. The Mesilas Yesharim writes that even if
we know we are not as worthy as people think we are, we have an obligation
to live up to the higher standards they expect from us. This applies in all
our interactions, with both Jews and non-Jews, whether at work, in the
community, or at home with our families. By keeping our actions impeccably
pure and proper, we not only sanctify the Name of Hashem and spread holiness
in the world, but we avoid harming ourselves. Damaging a good image could
lead to tragic results, as in the case of the chachamim. When our actions
truly shine forth as gold, our lives, as well as the lives of all those who
surround us, will be immeasurably enriched.
II. A Wife's Advice – The Power of Truth
And they rose up before Moshe with two hundred and fifty men, princes of
the congregation, appointed to the assembly, men of renown…(Bamidbar 16:2)
Korach enlisted many followers to his rebellion against Moshe and Aharon.
One of the original co-conspirators was Ohn ben Peles. The Da'as Z'keinim
(Bamidbar 16:1) tells us that Ohn rethought his position, did teshuvah, and
withdrew from the uprising, based on his wife's advice. His wife confronted
him with the fact that regardless of whether Moshe or Korach emerged
victorious, Ohn would still remain in a secondary position in the leadership
of the Children of Israel. This realization helped awaken him to reassess
the situation and realize that Moshe, was indeed, correct.
Why was it necessary for Ohn's wife to explain this fact to him? Was it
not obvious to Ohn that he was risking his life in a rebellion against Moshe
with no chance for personal gain?
This incident gives us a clearer understanding of the great measure of
control the yetzer hara exerts upon our thoughts and actions. Ohn was
involved in a machlokes – a conflict. Ohn was so blinded to the truth by
the yetzer hara that he neglected to show concern for the person he held
most dear – himself. Not only couldn't he comprehend that the uprising
itself was wrong, he could not even see the unmistakable fact that he had
nothing to gain and his life to lose!
If Ohn was so completely persuaded by the yetzer hara, how could his wife
so easily pull him away from the machlokes?
The yetzer hara is convincing, but truth – emes – is even more powerful.
Ohn ben Peles was thoroughly blinded to the truth of the dispute, but all he
needed was a dose of emes to bring him back to his senses and save him from
a horrible death.
We must constantly maintain an equilibrium between two formidable powers.
We must counterbalance the deceptive forces of the yetzer hara with the
influence of emes. When we find ourselves straying from the path of Torah –
involving ourselves in machlokes, for example – we must take out our map and
compass – truth – and find our way back. There is rarely anything to be
gained by fighting, other than causing hatred and bitterness. Contemplating
this truth will provide us with the necessary firepower to win our struggle
with the yetzer hara and avoid machlokes.
III. Appreciating the Strength of a Human Being
You take too much upon yourselves, sons of Levi…(Bamidbar 16:7)
Korach, a prominent Levite, viewed the appointment of Aharon – Moshe's
brother – to the position of High Priest, as an usurpation of power by Moshe
and his family. Spurred by jealousy, Korach caused a great rift in the
nation by inciting B'nei Yisrael against Moshe and Aharon. In the end,
Korach was disproved and he and his followers were all killed except for
Korach's sons who repented at the last moment.
How could Korach have made such a fatal error in judgement? Rashi
(ibid.) describes Korach as extremely intelligent, insightful and even
worthy of prophecy. Korach knew he needed clear justification for the great
schism he would surely cause with his inflammatory accusations, for if he
was wrong, he would be punished with death. Nevertheless, Korach felt
assured that he had the necessary justification because of a prophecy he had
received revealed his progeny to him. He saw that the great prophet,
Shmuel, would descend from his lineage, therefore he concluded that he would
remain alive and not be punished by death. He concluded that he must be in
the right.
Korach failed to consider the possibility that he and his followers would
be killed, while his sons would repent and continue his family line. Why
hadn't such a likelihood occur to Korach? Why did he assume that his sons'
fate would be like his own? In the midst of his all-important decision to
proceed with his case or not, one would think that Korach would carefully
explore all the possibilities. Standing in the wrong would mean incurring
the wrath of Hashem; his life and the lives of all his followers were on the
line. How could Korach have overlooked the possibility that his sons would
repent and that the prophet, Shmuel, was destined to come from them?
Korach was very wise and perceptive, yet he did not fully appreciate the
inherent strength of a human being. He could not imagine that his children
had the power within them to repent. They were so enmeshed in the dispute
with Moshe that Korach felt it impossible for his sons to repent, especially
at such a late time. This was Korach's fatal mistake. He did not
comprehend the extent of man's greatness, of the neshamah, the spark of
Godliness within every Jew. It is never too late for a person to do
teshuvah. Even one who rebels against Hashem, has the ability, at the very
last moment of life, to harness the latent potential for greatness within
him and do complete teshuvah. This ability to reach for Hashem out of the
lowest depths of sin, is what Korach underestimated.
If we tap the incredible potential within us, we can attain far greater
heights and achievements than we ever thought possible.
A Mid Summer Night's Pool Party