B"H

Thursday Sivan 28, 5777 / June 22, 2017

 

The Torah portion this week is Korach. One of only a few Torah portions named after a person. The Parsha begins with the story of Korach’s rebellion against Moshe and Aaron. 

 

Korach was a member of the tribe of Levi and a cousin of Moshe and Aaron. He was jealous of Moshe who was the leader of the Jewish people and Aaron being the High Priest. When his younger cousin Elitzafan was appointed to a leadership position, Korach gathered 250 people and together they rebelled against Moshe and Aaron.

 

Korach claimed, "The entire congregation is holy. Why do you exalt yourselves above the congregation?" 

 

Korach went around mocking Moshe. He wanted to prove that Moshe was misleading the people. One of the questions Korach asked Moshe was, “What is the law when a house is full of Torah scrolls, does the house still need a mezuzah on the door?

 

Moshe replied that it needs a mezuzah.

 

Korach then mocked Moshe, “How is it possible that the entire Torah, which contains two hundred and seventy five chapters, including the part which is written in the mezuzah, cannot accomplish what the mezuzah, which is but one small part of the Torah, can?!  It makes no sense and these laws could not be from G-d.

 

With this Korach wanted to prove that Moshe was not speaking in G-d’s name. Moshe warned Korach that his uprising was not against him and Aaron but against G-d and that he and his followers will be punished by G-d. But Korach didn't repent.

 

The Torah tells us, "And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up and their households and all their possessions." Korach and the leaders of the revolt disappeared into the ground. The others who were with Korach were burnt in a fire sent from G-d.

 

Q.Korach’s argument seems to be a very logical one. Why should a house full of Torah scrolls need a mezuzah on the door?

 

A.There is a wonderful lesson in this. This teaches us that it is not enough for one to conduct themselves according to the laws and ways of the Torah and be a good Jew within their home. One has to be a good Jew also in public, outside the home. A Jew must be proud of being Jewish and exhibit it also on the outside. Affixing a mezuzah on the doorpost outside of the home accomplishes that everyone will recognize that this is a Jewish home and a dwelling place for G-d.

 

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY