B"H

Monday, Sivan 30, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / June 19, 2023

Today is the first day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz. The Torah portion which we will read in the Diaspora this Shabbat is Korach.  It begins with the rebellion which Korach, of the tribe of Levi, led against the leaders of the Jewish people, Moshe and Aaron.

Realizing that the Jewish people of that generation will not go into Israel and that they will stay another 38 years in the desert as a result of their refusal to go forward into the Promised Land, Korach felt that now was the right time to start a rebellion against the leadership of Moshe and Aaron.

Korach, who was a cousin of Moshe and Aaron, was jealous of Aaron being the High Priest. Korach gathered 250 people, mostly from the tribe of Reuben, together they rebelled against Moshe and Aaron.  Korach, who wanted to be the High Priest, argued against them by claiming equality for everyone.      

Korach said to Moshe and Aaron, "The entire congregation is holy... Why do you exalt yourselves above the congregation?" He used a noble cause to further his argument, equality, but in reality he cared only for himself.  Korach caused a tremendous division within the Jewish people and as a result close to 15,000 people died in a plague. 

One can be the champion for a good cause, such as equality for all, as Korach did, but at the same time causing tremendous harm. While G-d created us all equal with a goal of making this world a better place. He gave certain duties to certain people. By fulfilling our obligations in what we excel in, to the best of our ability, we all fulfill our life mission exactly as G-d intended.

For example: If a scholar, whose financial means are limited, will make his life goal to give charity and the wealthy person will excel in teaching Torah, rather than giving charity, the world would be lacking.  Each one has to excel in what G-d blessed them with. The rich person should stand out in distributing charity and the scholar in sharing his knowledge of Torah.  Only then do we have a win-win situation.

Q.As mentioned, Korach’s revolt was supported by people from the tribe of Reuben. Why did the people of the tribe of Reuben join Korach’s rebellion more than the other tribes?

A.   The family of Kehot, from which Korach was a descendent, was encamped on the south side of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).  The tribe of Reuben was also encamped on the south side of the Mishkan, right next to Korach and his family.   Being neighbors, Korach was able to influence them to join his revolt.

Korach, who was extremely wealthy and was of the chosen Levite family who served in the Mishkan, had everything one needed, Yet, he wasn’t satisfied. He was a jealous person and this was his downfall and he ended up (or should I say..ended down) being swallowed in the ground alive. The story of Korach and his followers encouraged the following lessons of Pirkei Avot:

“Keep a far distance from a bad neighbor; Do not associate with a wicked person.” (1,7).

“Envy, extravagant desire, the search of glory and honor remove a person from this world.” (4,28)  

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & A WONDERFUL MONTH