Korach – Page 13 – Peninim on the Torah

“And Korach took/separated himself… They gathered together against Moshe and Aharon.” (16:1,3)

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…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5756

“It is too much for you. For the entire assembly, all of them are holy and Hashem is among them; why do you exalt yourselves over the congregation of Hashem?” (16:3)

Korach and his followers justified their actions in a self- serving manner. It is not unusual for the individuals who instigate conflict, who attempt to undermine every holy endeavor, to paint themselves as paragons of virtue and righteousness. In a departure from the standard interpretation, the Ksav Sofer takes a satirical approach to this pasuk. Lay people commonly assess that the rav or spiritual professional who serves his community is fortunate to live in a city such as theirs, with community members who are as righteous and decent as they are. Indeed, if the rav had not been serving in…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5756

“For the entire assembly, all of them are holy and Hashem is among them.” (16:3)

The tzaddik is always under scrutiny. There are always individuals who seek to criticize the spiritual leaders of their community and — in many cases — their entire generation. David Ha’Melech says in Sefer Tehillim 106 ‘s ase irvtk vbjnc vank utbehu. This is the method used by baalei machlok’es, those who get their “nourishment” from promoting conflict. If the tzaddik lives an austere and secluded lifestyle, devoting his life to Torah study and virtue, the people say, “What benefit do we derive from our tzaddik? He secludes himself from everyone. Conversely, if he is community-minded and responds to the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5756

“And the earth covered them over, and they were lost from among the congregation.” (16:33)

The commentators offer various explanations for Korach’s bizarre punishment. The Kol Yehudah gives a rationale based upon an incident that occurred with the Ohr Same’ach. Once, two litigants came before the Ohr Same’ach with a din Torah, dispute, regarding a piece of land. Each one claimed that the entire parcel of land belonged to him. Of course, neither one had witnesses to attest to the veracity of his claim. The rav was having a difficult time resolving the dispute. Finally, he said to both people, “You will each have to compromise in order to resolve the issue.” They were extremely…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5755

“And Korach took … they gathered together against Moshe and Aharon and they said to them, ‘It is too much for you … why do you exalt yourselves over the congregation of Hashem?'” (16:1,3)

Korach’s rebellion stands alone as the most vicious rebellion against Rabbinic authority. Korach’s attempt to usurp the leadership of Klal Yisrael from Moshe in order to undermine Divine authority over Klal Yisrael established his reputation as the paradigmatic baal machlo’kes, one who initiates conflict. What rationale can we find to explain Korach’s reprehensible behavior ? Chazal teach us that Korach maintained a prominent position in the hierarchy of the Leviim. His traits were a combination of superior qualities which few people could emulate. Descending from the family of Kehas, the most distinguished of the Levite families, he had an illustrious…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5755

“And it was on the next day… and behold the staff of Aharon of the House of Levi, had blossomed, it brought forth a blossom, sprouted a bud and almonds ripened.” (17:23)

Immediately following the premature deaths of Korach and his band of evildoers, Hashem commanded Moshe to collect twelve staffs, representing each of the twelve tribes and place it before the Aron Ha’Kodesh. Hashem caused a miracle to occur which would certainly convince the skeptical Jews that Hashem was ultimately in charge. It was Hashem who chose Moshe and Aharon as leaders. It was He who directed the affairs of the world. Demonstrating his choice of Aharon for the position of Kohen Gadol, Hashem miraculously caused Aharon’s staff to blossom and sprout buds and almonds. It seems strange that Hashem did…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5755

“For the maaser (tithe) of the Bnei Yisrael … I have given to the Leviim as a heritage; therefore I have said to them, among the Bnei Yisrael they shall not inherit a heritage.” (18:24)

The Levi receives no portion in Eretz Yisrael. He is, consequently, absolved from the labor and toil involved in working the soil and other “mundane” material pursuits. He is to devote himself totally to the service of the Almighty. Hence, he receives the maaser gifts from his fellow Jews to sustain him in his spiritual vocation. In his commentary to Sefer Devarim 10:9, Rashi states that since the Leviim were set apart for the service of the Altar and are not free to plow and to sow, they are to receive a designated gift (maaser) from the house of the…

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Sruly Schnair In Korach, 5754

“And Korach took… and they all rose up in the face of Moshe and Aharon men of renown. And they assembled against Moshe and Aharon and said to them, ‘you take too much upon you… seeing that all the congregation is holy. And Hashem is in their midst, wherefore do you lift yourselves up above the congregation of Hashem?'” (16:1,2,3)

Korach’s criticism of Moshe seemed to be a reaction to Aharon’s assuming the role of Kohen Gadol. Thus, the two main personalities involved in this machlokes, strife, were Korach and Moshe. Korach was the classic scoundrel, evil throughout. An irate man may inflict damage upon an individual person, but others may nonetheless benignly attempt to understand the source of his anger and correct him. What makes a scoundrel such as Korach contemptible is his blatant hypocrisy. He hides his evil behind a sham of piety. He unabashedly claims noble motives for his despicable act. Indeed, he impudently attempts to enlist…

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Sruly Schnair In Korach, 5754

“Morning (tomorrow) and Hashem will make known who is his.” (16:5)

The Midrash questions Moshe’s choice of the word morning, instead of the more usual, tomorrow. They comment that Moshe told Korach, “Hashem sets boundaries in this world which you can not undo. As Hashem has separated day from night, so has He separated Bnei Yisrael from the gentile nations. Similarly, He has separated Aharon from His people. When you will be able to reverse the distinction set by Hashem between day and night, then you will also be able to reverse the separation between Aharon and the rest of Bnei Yisrael. In this vein, referring to the pasuk, and it…

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Sruly Schnair In Korach, 5754

“You take too much upon you, o’ Bnei Levi.” (16:7)

Rashi asks, “Korach was a wise and prudent fellow. Why did he commit this folly? His eye deceived him, for he foresaw that great progeny was destined to descend from him, namely Shmuel Ha’Navi. Shmuel Ha’Navi weighs against Moshe and Aharon in terms of greatness. Korach said, ‘In his merit, I will be saved.’” We may question Rashi‘s use of the use of the singular nouns “his eye deceived him.” Didn’t Korach have two eyes? Horav Boruch Sorotzkin z.l. explains that when one “looks” at something, he should perceive it from all angles. He should examine it with both eyes,…

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“And Korach took/separated himself… They gathered together against Moshe and Aharon.” (16:1,3)

“It is too much for you. For the entire assembly, all of them are holy and Hashem is among them; why do you exalt yourselves over the congregation of Hashem?” (16:3)

“For the entire assembly, all of them are holy and Hashem is among them.” (16:3)

“And the earth covered them over, and they were lost from among the congregation.” (16:33)

“And Korach took … they gathered together against Moshe and Aharon and they said to them, ‘It is too much for you … why do you exalt yourselves over the congregation of Hashem?'” (16:1,3)

“And it was on the next day… and behold the staff of Aharon of the House of Levi, had blossomed, it brought forth a blossom, sprouted a bud and almonds ripened.” (17:23)

“For the maaser (tithe) of the Bnei Yisrael … I have given to the Leviim as a heritage; therefore I have said to them, among the Bnei Yisrael they shall not inherit a heritage.” (18:24)

“Morning (tomorrow) and Hashem will make known who is his.” (16:5)

“You take too much upon you, o’ Bnei Levi.” (16:7)

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