Tuesday, Tammuz 1, 5786 / June 16, 2026
Today is the second day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz. This week’s Parsha, Korach, is about the revolt of Korach against Moshe and Aaron. Korach, who was Moshe and Aaron’s cousin, also from the tribe of Levi, gathered two hundred and fifty people, mostly of the tribe of Reuben, and together they revolted against Moshe’s leadership and Aaron’s position as the High Priest.
Q. Jacob had twelve sons from whom the twelve tribes are descendent. One of Jacob’s twelve sons was Levi, yet the tribe of Levi is not one of the twelve tribes, so how are there twelve tribes without Levi?
A. Before his passing, Jacob blessed his son Joseph, ruler of Egypt, that Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Menashe, will be like Jacob’s own two sons, that they will be two tribes in Israel. Instead of Levi, who was not counted as part of the Ten Tribes, Joseph’s two children became two tribes, thus forming twelve tribes.
Q. Why is it that of all the twelve tribes, Korach was able to influence the people of the tribe of Reuben to join in his revolt against Moshe and Aaron?
A. The tribe of Reuben was Korach’s neighbors, they both camped on the southern side of the Tabernacle. Thus, it was easier for Korach to influence them. Our sages tell us that from here we learn the importance of choosing to live next to good and righteous neighbors.
Q. Why wasn’t the tribe of Levi designated as one of the twelve tribes?
A. G-d commanded that when the Jewish people come into the Promised Land, the land should be divided amongst the twelve tribes. However, the tribe of Levi was designated for G-d’s service in the Holy Temple. The tribe of Levi was not involved in cultivating the land and were not counted in the twelve tribes.
Q. If the tribe of Levi didn’t have any land how did they survive in the physical world?
A. G-d designated certain gifts which every Jew had to give them, so they can have what they need for their physical existence. However, they were dedicated to spirituality.
Even after the destruction of the Temple, the Kohen has special status. He is called up first to the Torah and the Levi second. The Kohen performs the three-fold blessings on holidays, and the Levi washes his hands before he performs the blessings. As we believe firmly that Moshiach is coming any day and the Third Temple will be built, the Kohen is prohibited to partake at a funeral or enter a cemetery, so as not to become spiritually defiled. This would render him impure and not be able to perform his duty in the Holy Temple.
Q. G-d punishes measure for measure. How is Korach’s punishment of being swallowed into the ground a measure for measure punishment for his sin of arguing against Moshe and Aaron?
A. Rabbi Bunim of Peshischa explains it as follows: “Our sages say that Korach was very intelligent, smart, wealthy etc. Based on his many qualities, in the end he would have been appointed to a position of leadership. However, being a jealous person he didn’t want to wait but wanted it immediately. His punishment was also measure for measure, that instead of waiting to be buried after he lives out his full life, G-d buried him now...
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & CHODESH TOV