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“And it (the earth) swallowed them and their households, and all the people who were with Korach.” (16:32)

Korach’s sons repented at the very last moment, so they did not die. They were originally involved in the dispute, but they later saw the  light. Korach, however, was  too  embroiled,  too  involved in himself, to be saved. He went down in infamy. Yet, I think there is something to be derived from this thought: Korach could not have been all that bad. Apparently, if his children repented, then there had to have been a value system at home that was spiritually correct. They had to have been raised correctly. Horav Avigdor HaLevi Nebentzhal, Shlita, cites the Arizal, who takes the…

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“They stood/arose before Moshe.” (16:2)

Targum Yonasan adds, V’kamu b’chutzpah, “They arose with insolence.” How does the pasuk imply that they acted with  chutzpah, impudence, towards Moshe Rabbeinu? On the contrary, the pasuk clearly states that they arose for him. Maharitz gives a pragmatic explanation, one that teaches us a profound lesson of the definition of chutzpah. He explains that knowing that Moshe was coming, they arose before he came, so that they would not have to get up for him. They refused to demonstrate any derech eretz, respect, for Moshe, so they were already standing when Moshe came. This is considered standing up with chutzpah….

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“And On ben Peles.” (16:1)

The Midrash teaches us that On ben Peles was saved as a result of listening to his wife. She asked him, “What do you gain by being involved  in  this  dispute?  Regardless  of  who  triumphs,  you still emerge as the loser. If Aharon is selected as Kohen Gadol – you will be his student. If Korach becomes the Kohen Gadol – you are still nothing more than a student. Why involve yourself in a ‘no win’ situation?” On’s wife spoke with seichel, common sense. Is this a reason to praise her? Basically, she only did what any level-headed person would do….

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“Korach took/separated himself.” (16:1)

What caused Korach, a distinguished leader in Klal Yisrael, to alienate himself to the degree that he fell to such a nadir of iniquity?  The  Bais  Yisrael  comments  that  these  two words, Vayikach Korach, “Korach took,” says it all. Korach’s approach to life was defined by “taking.” It was his goal; it was his raison d’etre. He took in gashmiyus, materialism, becoming one of Klal Yisrael’s wealthiest men. He also wanted to take in ruchniyus, spirituality. He was an oveid Hashem, one who serves Hashem, with great diligence. Among the carriers of the Aron Ha’kodesh, he represented the spiritual elite of…

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