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Korach / קרח
Korach / קרח
Moshe said to
the B’nei Levi
“isn’t it enough
that Hashem has
distinguished you as
Leviim, that you
still seek the
Kehuna.” The Chasam
Sofer explains this
as follows. The
Jewish people are
referred to as
stubborn and
courageous. In fact
the Chazal attribute
to this, the fact
that the Torah was
given to them. It is
not easy to set
ourselves off from
the rest of the
world in the way we
eat, the way we walk
and talk and the way
we dress. This
requires a great
amount of fortitude.
Then even among
ourselves the Leviim
and Kohanim have
extra requirements
and restrictions.
All of this, of
course, makes for a
difficult trial in
life. This, then, is
what Moshe said to
them, “isn’t the
trial of being a
Levi enough that you
should seek more
limitations as
Kohanim.
“And you and Aaron
should take a fire
pan (of Ketores)”
The possuk says each
one his own pan.
What is the
significance of
this? The Meshech
Chochma explains:
The Chazal explain
that the original
vessels of the
Mishkon were
annointed in order
to be placed into
service in the
Mishkon, afterwards
the service alone
created the Kedusha
of the vessel.
Therefore Moshe
specifically
directed Aaron to
not take the pan
which was already
consecrated but
rather his own, to
demonstrate that
only his service was
the legitimate one
and would bring the
Kedusah to the
vessel.
The “Shaloh” points
out the various
lessons in keeping
peace and not
allowing arguments.
a) All the greatness
of Korach and his
future lineage did
not help him or save
him when he became
involved in “machlokos”,
argument. He also
was one of those who
carried the Ark.
b) Aaron never spoke
one word and refused
to feed into the
argument. The less
one speaks about
“machlokos” the less
will result from it.
c) Moshe completely
humbled himself and
personally went to
Doson and Avirom to
stem the tide of the
heated argument. How
great is the
obligation to keep
peace.
Moshe Rabenu
referred to the
opening of the earth
to swallow Korach
and his people.
Rashi points out the
fact that this was
created from the six
days of creation. In
Pirke Avos ch. 5
this is documented
among other future
miracles that were
created and
programmed into the
world at twilight
Friday evening of
the creation. R’
Yaakov ‘z’l explains
as follows. The
world was created
with such order and
perfection that one
could almost believe
there is no creator.
For this reason when
HaShem was about to
give the world into
the hands of
mankind, He
specifically
arranged for certain
unnatural
occurrences to allay
the suspicions of
those who believe it
operates on its own.
Even the “pliers,
the original ones
which created the
second pair” which
is listed at the end
is the general
statement of the
fact that the
original
“everything” was by
the hands of HaShem.
This then is what
Moshe wanted to
teach the people
that “all is brought
about by HaShem”.
The Parsha follows
the thread of the
story of the battle
over Kehuna. First
Korach and his
community are
destroyed. The
people still
complain and a
plague ensues. Still
not satisfied Aaron
is commanded to take
his staff among the
other staffs and his
blossoms forth.
Certainly this has
been a trying ordeal
for Aaron and he
probably would
rather just quietly
assume his position.
However, at this
point, we observe an
interesting lesson
in life. HaShem
announces to all,
with great joy (Rashi)
the many gifts that
a Kohain, that Aaron
will receive. Once
the issue has been
laid to rest, credit
should been given to
the rightful party.
The possuk says,
“those who died in
the plague were
14,700 besides those
who died because of
Korach". Since they
complained a second
time the plague took
effect. The possuk
says, “separate them
from the people”. R’
Yehoshua Leib z’l’
learns this to be a
reference to the
removal of the
people who have
sinned. The process
would be similar to
terumah. Now terumah
in a larger amount
would be 1/40. If
the people were
603,550 then 1/40
would be 15,088. We
see 14,700 died. But
the possuk says
“besides those who
died with Korach”.
That would be
another 250 men plus
Korach, Doson and
Avirom, which equals
14,953. This plus
135 would be 1/40.
The number 135 are
equal in numerical
value to “kahal”.
Now notice before it
used the word “edah”
but at the end it
says, “he ran into
the ‘kahal’”, this
being the last 135
in danger.
The Chofetz Chaim
explains the
degrading nature of
jealousy. It is well
known that it “eats
away” at a person.
However, even with
this terrible trait
there are two
strains of it. One
could be jealous of
what the other has,
because he would
also enjoy having
it. But even worse
than that is the
individual, who does
not begrudge the
other person to have
wealth, honor, etc.
Korach projected the
latter by claiming
Moshe “you have more
than you deserve”.
This, of course, was
the downfall of
Korach.
The Steipler ‘z’l
points out a major
discrepancy in the
parsha. The jealousy
of Korach stemmed
from his desire to
be leader over his
Levite family and
yet he projected a
philosophy of
equality for all
men. “We are all
holy”. We see from
the Communist
Revolution that this
is the way of the
wicked. They have
their own agenda but
veil it in a
humanistic plea for
the people.
Interestingly
enough, the wife of
On ben Peles was not
tricked and
prevented her
husband from joining
them fully.
Previous Parshos
Tazria
Metzora
Achrei Mos
Kedoshim
Emor
Behar
Bechukosai
Bamidbar
Shavuos
Naso
Behalosicha
Shilach
Korach
Chukas-Balak
Pinchos
Matos-Masei
Devorim
Voeschonon Ekev
Reah
Shoftim
Ki Seitzei
Ki Savo
Nitzovim
- Vayelech Rosh
HaShana Haazinu-Yom
Kippur Sukkos V'zos
HaBrocha
Breishis
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