This statement seems peculiar. If Korach was the only one who actually sinned, why were the others also held responsible? If they were all sinners, why did Moshe intercede on their behalf? Horav Moshe Shternbuch Shlita suggests a realistic approach by which all of the people could be held accountable for their behavior. They witnessed Moshe’s public degradation without protesting it. Indifference to the public embarrassment of the leader of the Jewish people is inexcusable. Indeed, they were viewed as collaborators in this audacious act, so that Hashem wanted to immediately destroy them. Moshe, however, pitied their weak characters and prayed to Hashemto negate the terrible decree against them. How often do we stand by deliberately looking away, while people who seek to usurp the mantle of leadership over the Jewish people publicly abuse the Torah and Torah leaders? What deems this apathy even more reprehensible is that it invariably emanates from cowardice created by a fear of losing popularity. One who does not challenge those who insurrect against Torah leadership, regrettably, becomes a collaborator with the rebels.
