Parashat Korach

You’re as cold as ice
You’re willing to sacrifice our love
You never take advice
Someday you’ll pay the price, I know

I’ve seen it before
It happens all the time
Closing the door
You leave the world behind

You’re digging for gold
Yet throwing away
A fortune in feelings
But someday you’ll pay….
Lou Gramm, Mick Jones (Foreigner)

This week’s parasha is named after one of the most oft-vilified characters in Tanach.

Korach, conventional wisdom tells us, wanted to usurp the authority of Moshe and Aaron, command the kahuna (priesthood), avenge the forty year sentence of wandering in the desert as a result of the episode with the scouts in Parashat Shelach, and organize a revolt by the Israelites. Knowing exactly what Korach wanted, or his precise motivation for challenging Moshe is difficult to ascertain, because he never really goes on record. We do not find a direct quote from Korach anywhere in the entire parasha, but perhaps he is included here:

“Korach the son of Yitzar, the son of Levi, took, along with Datan and Aviram, the sons of Eliav, and On, the son of Pelet, sons of Reuven. They confronted Moses together with two hundred and fifty men from the children of Israel, chieftains of the congregation, representatives of the assembly, men of repute. They assembled against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for the entire congregation are all holy, and the Lord is in their midst. So why do raise yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?“  (Num. 16:1-3)

But, perhaps not..why would Korach say that?

After all, Korach was a Levite, in the special legion of the sons of Kahat (the second of the three sons of Levi), who had been honored with the role of care and transport the holy ark!  So, what did Korach really want?

And furthermore, what (in verse 1.) did he take?

As you can see, we have our work cut out for us. Rashi, who usually has a simple pshat, a plain explanation, goes right to the Midrash (Tanchuma) for an explanation.  The Midrash is not so impressed by Korach, and describes a power struggle precipitated by the appointment of his cousin Elitzafon as leader of the Levites, even though Elitzafon was the son of the youngest of four brothers.  (Moshe was a son of the oldest of four brothers…). According to the Mishna this breach of protocol
was the motivating factor in the activities of Korach to organize against Moshe.
The Midrash then reports a series of confrontational conversations where Korach is portrayed as an insolent, belligerent  and conniving rabble rouser. As so often happens, the Midrash paints a picture in black and white, while the text itself is in many shades of grey.  The other rebels, according to many commentators, has their own reasons as well.

Datan and Aviram had a history of bad character.  Rashi teaches us that they were feuding with Moshe back in Egypt.  “He (Moshe) went out on the second day, and behold, two Hebrew men were quarreling, and he said to the wicked one, “Why are you going to strike your friend? And he retorted, “Who made you a man, a prince, and a judge over us? Do you plan to slay me as you have slain the Egyptian?…“  (Ex. 2:13-14)

Rashi also explains that they were the ones who hoarded the manna (Ex. 16:19-20), in defiance of G-d’s instruction.

So, it comes as no surprise that they would attach themselves to any opportunity to continue their destructive behavior.

The two hundred and fifty noble leaders of Israel seemingly have no motivation for malicious activity. The Netziv (R. Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin (1816-1893), of Volozhin), writes that they were overcome by their spiritual yearnings, and wanted to come closer than was permitted. Their tragic demise mirrors that of the two sons of Aaron, Nadav and Avihu, whose desire to come close took them out of the realm of  the divinely mandated behavior necessary for this world. Like the incense they offered in vain, religious passion has the power to enrich or destroy life.

But Korach  knew better. Korach seemingly had it all- a good job, wealth ( the talmud in Pesachim 119a tells us that he had found treasure that Joseph had hidden away in Egypt), and influence.   It is no surprise that he was silent when Moshe tried to engage in dialogue with him ( Bam. 16:7) He had no response, because there was nothing to say. The name Korach in Hebrew means “ice”. Korach was frozen in his spiritual development, trapped by jealousy that prevented him from achieving his potential. He had experienced the same revelation as the other Israelites, and knew that Moshe’s authority was mandated by G-d. But, unlike Moshe, who continually gave of himself, Korach was unable to give. He could only receive. He was a taker. Perhaps that’s why the Torah said that ” Korach took“, without explanation. It wasn’t anything in particular, rather his nature. He could not warm up to the idea of mankind’s unique ability  to act in the image of G-d, by giving of ourselves.

We all have the ability to be a catalyst for change. Get involved, volunteer. Give what ever you can- money, time, blood, thanks.
Just give, and the taking will be so much more fulfilling.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Greg