Korach is one of the most tragic figures in the Torah. He had such amazing potential for achievement. In fact, he was one of those who participated in carrying the Aron Ha’Kodesh. This distinction, together with the massive wealth he had accumulated, was still not sufficient to quell his feelings of envy, his lust for power. Chazal refer to Korach’s incursion as “shtus,” foolishness. We would assume that a man who carried the Aron would know better. Did he not know that the Aron was not carried by its carriers, but that actually the Aron supported itself, as well as its carriers? He should have realized that man’s endeavor is meaningless unless it is blessed with the will of Hashem.
It was pure machlok’es, conflict, that motivated Korach. He lusted for power, and was driven by envy and greed. Yes, he was the perfect baal machlok’es, the one who generates and fuels discord in a community. In pasuk 21:11, it is written, “And the sons of Korach did not die.” Is that really true? Horav Yosef Chaim, zl, M’Baghdad, comments that the pasuk alludes to the timelessness of discord and its universal effect on a community. Korach died, but his sons are those who carry on his philosophies, those who follow his reprehensible tactics, those who live for conflict and discord. These individuals receive a perverted sense of satisfaction when they are able to destroy the harmony of a community. These people, indeed, remain very much alive.
It was not sufficient for Korach to simply keep his feelings of discontent to himself. He found it necessary to challenge Moshe Rabbeinu’s leadership. He led us out of Egypt; he devoted his entire life to being the quintessential leader of Klal Yisrael. Yet, one person, together with a group of insecure followers, attempted to impugn Moshe Rabbeinu’s position. Is there no wonder that Chazal refer to him as a fool?
