Korach – Page 12 – Peninim on the Torah

“Korach, son of Yitzchar, son of Kehas, son of Levi separated himself.” (16:1)

So begins one of the most tragic sagas in Jewish history, one that regrettably still plagues us to this very day. Machlokes, strife, controversy, dispute, political in-fighting: these are all words that describe the state of affairs which Korach and his followers have catalyzed in every generation. We can never free ourselves of dispute. At times, it is l’shem Shomayim, sincere, for the sake of Heaven: to promote observance, to stamp out religious incursion, to challenge those who would undermine and disgrace Torah and its disseminators. For the most part, however, it is petty, self-serving controversy. It is usually…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5760

“Moshe heard and fell on his face.” (16:4)

What did Moshe hear that agitated him so? In the Talmud Sanhedrin 110a, Chazal say that he heard that rumors were being spread about him. They suspected him of infidelity, of having relations with an eishes ish, a married woman. Indeed, as Chazal continue, it was not just a married woman, it was many married women. Every man suspected his wife of being with Moshe. We must attempt to grasp this utter foolishness. How could intelligent human beings conjure up such an absurd claim against an individual whose devotion to them – whose piety, virtue and spiritual status – was…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5760

“Is it not enough that you have brought us up from a land flowing with milk and honey to cause us to die in the wilderness?” (16:13)

Korach was not a fool. Yet, everything that he asserted could not be the words of a smart man. To attempt to usurp Klal Yisrael’s leadership – is audacious and foolish. To malign Moshe and Aharon – constitutes brazen disrespect. To refer to a land that was the source of so much suffering, persecution and death as a land flowing with milk and honey – is downright insane! Korach was neither foolish nor insane. He was mistaken. He misled himself. Where did he go wrong? What led him to act in a way so inconsistent with his own character? Horav…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5760

“It is an eternal covenant of salt before Hashem.” (18:19)

Rashi explains that Hashem entered into a covenant with Aharon HaKohen. He called it by the name of something which is “healthy” – meaning it does not spoil – and which makes others “healthy” – meaning it preserves other things from spoiling. Salt’s unique properties; its own “health,” and ability to preserve the “health” of others make it the symbol of the covenant. It is a well-known and accepted fact that the study of Torah has a lasting effect on a person. The question that, regrettably, has been the source of contention is: does the study of Torah influence others…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5759

Korach, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehas, the son of Levi, separated himself. (16:1)

The Torah deliberately traces Korach’s lineage back to Levi, stopping there. Why is Yaakov Avinu not included in Korach’s pedigree? Rashi explains that when Yaakov was reproving his two sons, Shimon and Levi, for their deplorable actions regarding the people of Shechem, he said, “Bi’kehalam al teichad kevodi,” “In their conspiracy may my soul not enter.” Yaakov Avinu did not want his name connected to the evil that their descendants would eventually generate. Rashi adds, however, that when the Torah mentions in Divrei Hayamim that a descendant of Korach was among the Leviim who sang in the Bais Hamikdash, it…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5759

They gathered together against Moshe and against Aharon and said to them, “It is too much for you! For the entire assembly-all of them are holy.’ (16:3)

The Torah recounts a number of controversies that occurred during Klal Yisrael’s forty year sojourn in the desert. They complained and complained. They complained about water and about meat. There were spies who slandered Eretz Yisrael. Yet, after all is said and done, the one dispute that has been recorded in history as the paradigm of machlokes, controversy, is the machlokes of Korach. Why? At least Korach’s dispute had a spiritual dimension to it. They questioned the Kehunah. They sought to serve in the Bais Hamikdash and offer korbanos. They even made use of lomdus, logic, using a Tallis made…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5759

Fire emerged from Hashem and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who had offered incense… The fire pans of those who sinned against theirs souls – make them into beaten plates, a cover for the Altar. (16:35, 17:3)

As part of Korach’s rebellion, the two hundred and fifty men who were part of Korach’s group were to offer incense in fire pans. They received their due punishment in that they were being consumed by a fire from Hashem. Their fire pans, instead of being discarded, were melted and shaped into a covering for the Mizbayach. Until now the Altar had been a hollow frame which was filled with dirt every time Klal Yisrael camped. Now, the outside surface was to be covered with a thin mass plating composed of the sinner’s fire pans. This is enigmatic! Is it…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5759

To the Leviim shall you speak… When you accept from the Bnei Yisrael the tithe… you shall raise from it a gift… your gift shall be reckoned for you like grain from the threshing floor… (18:26,27)

The Levi who receives his portion of Maaser from the Yisrael must, in turn, give Terumah to the Kohen. The Torah tells us that this Terumas Maaser is considered the same as Terumah Gedolah, which is offered by the Yisrael. Imrei Yosef cites the Zidetchoiver Rebbe, zl, who claims that this pasuk alludes to an ethical lesson for he who has been raised above his peers to be selected for spiritual leadership. One might think that it is his virtue and scholarship, his good deeds and meticulous mitzvah observance, that effected this “promotion”. The Torah tells him not to permit…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5757

And Korach ben Yitzhar ben Kehas ben Levi separated himself. (16:1)

Korach was not simply another hatemonger who sought to usurp Moshe and Aharon as a result of intense feelings of envy. Korach was among those who “carried” the Aron Ha’kodesh. He was obviously sensitive to the fact that the Aron was in reality carrying those who attempted to carry it. It would be unrealistic to think that an individual who was so aware of Hashem should stoop to such machlokes, controversy, unless something “noble” motivated him. The Kotzker Rebbe, zl, explains that Korach sought Kehunah, He felt that he could serve Hashem better if he were a Kohen. His complete…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Korach, 5757

And he (Moshe) said to Hashem; Do not turn to their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt them. (16:15)

Moshe, acting atypically, implored Hashem not to accept any form of offering whereby Korach and his henchmen could expiate their sin of rebellion. Sforno interprets Moshe Rabeinu’s demand in the following manner. Had they sinned against Hashem, then He would have pardoned them after they had atoned for their actions. Sins committed against one’s fellow man are not atoned even on Yom Kippur, unless the sinner has appeased the one whom he has wronged. Moshe disclaims receiving any benefit from them. Thus, his leadership over them was entirely for their benefit, to attend to their affairs and needs. Their criticism…

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“Korach, son of Yitzchar, son of Kehas, son of Levi separated himself.” (16:1)

“Moshe heard and fell on his face.” (16:4)

“Is it not enough that you have brought us up from a land flowing with milk and honey to cause us to die in the wilderness?” (16:13)

“It is an eternal covenant of salt before Hashem.” (18:19)

Korach, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehas, the son of Levi, separated himself. (16:1)

They gathered together against Moshe and against Aharon and said to them, “It is too much for you! For the entire assembly-all of them are holy.’ (16:3)

Fire emerged from Hashem and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who had offered incense… The fire pans of those who sinned against theirs souls – make them into beaten plates, a cover for the Altar. (16:35, 17:3)

To the Leviim shall you speak… When you accept from the Bnei Yisrael the tithe… you shall raise from it a gift… your gift shall be reckoned for you like grain from the threshing floor… (18:26,27)

And Korach ben Yitzhar ben Kehas ben Levi separated himself. (16:1)

And he (Moshe) said to Hashem; Do not turn to their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, neither have I hurt them. (16:15)

YEARS

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