Korach is ostensibly right in his claim against Moses and Aaron that "all the people are holy and G-d is with them." (Numbers 16:3) The entire Jewish People really are righteous and holy. Yet, Korach, in his pursuit of honor, did not express the entire truth. True, they are all holy and G-d is with them, yet Korach is ignoring the various differences and levels within the Jewish People. There are different levels of holiness and of leadership and there are different levels to the positions that they hold as well.
Blurring levels creates pandemonium and anarchy, as Rashi comments on the verse, "Tomorrow morning, G-d will show that He knows who is His and who is holy, and He will bring them close to Him. He shall choose those who shall be allowed to present offerings to Him." (Numbers 16:5) Rashi says: "Moses said to them: G-d established boundaries in His universe. Can you transform morning to evening? Can you nullify the Torah's decree, 'It was evening and it was morning' (Genesis 1:5), and the subsequent distinction? In precisely the same way, G-d distinguished Aaron, making him holy."
Distinctions within time, place and people stand at the foundation of the entire universe. We have to distinguish between the holy and the non-holy in the realm of time, between Eretz Yisrael and other lands, and between the Jewish People and other nations. As we say in the Havdalah prayer at the end of the Sabbath, G-d "distinguishes between the sacred and the profane, between light and darkness, between Israel and the other nations, between the seventh day and the six working days."
The "Korach" approach ignores the fact that in reality there are different levels and distinctions, there are boundaries and different tasks, within time and place, and amongst people. Today, that approach is the main source of the crises facing our beloved people and all mankind.
We must learn, understand and recognize that we have to distinguish between Israel and the nations. We have to realize that Israel is not like the other nations. Rather, it is a kingdom of priests and a holy nation that seeks to bring light and goodness to all mankind.
We must learn, understand and recognize that Eretz Yisrael and the State of Israel are not like all other lands and countries. We have not risen to rebirth in order to establish here a country of all its inhabitants, G-d forbid. Neither have we come here just to eat, drink and rest, or to establish a state for the Arabs ? never! We are rising to rebirth in our land in order to bring to fulfillment, for the benefit of the whole world, the vision of the prophets of Israel, that "out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of G-d from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:3)
And just as the view of Korach and his entire camp ultimately lost out, so shall the "Korach" approach that seeks to blur the distinction between the sacred and profane in the life of the individual and the nation speedily be nullified. And through this, may we all merit "a new light shining over Zion" (from the morning prayers).
Blurring levels creates pandemonium and anarchy, as Rashi comments on the verse, "Tomorrow morning, G-d will show that He knows who is His and who is holy, and He will bring them close to Him. He shall choose those who shall be allowed to present offerings to Him." (Numbers 16:5) Rashi says: "Moses said to them: G-d established boundaries in His universe. Can you transform morning to evening? Can you nullify the Torah's decree, 'It was evening and it was morning' (Genesis 1:5), and the subsequent distinction? In precisely the same way, G-d distinguished Aaron, making him holy."
Distinctions within time, place and people stand at the foundation of the entire universe. We have to distinguish between the holy and the non-holy in the realm of time, between Eretz Yisrael and other lands, and between the Jewish People and other nations. As we say in the Havdalah prayer at the end of the Sabbath, G-d "distinguishes between the sacred and the profane, between light and darkness, between Israel and the other nations, between the seventh day and the six working days."
The "Korach" approach ignores the fact that in reality there are different levels and distinctions, there are boundaries and different tasks, within time and place, and amongst people. Today, that approach is the main source of the crises facing our beloved people and all mankind.
We must learn, understand and recognize that we have to distinguish between Israel and the nations. We have to realize that Israel is not like the other nations. Rather, it is a kingdom of priests and a holy nation that seeks to bring light and goodness to all mankind.
We must learn, understand and recognize that Eretz Yisrael and the State of Israel are not like all other lands and countries. We have not risen to rebirth in order to establish here a country of all its inhabitants, G-d forbid. Neither have we come here just to eat, drink and rest, or to establish a state for the Arabs ? never! We are rising to rebirth in our land in order to bring to fulfillment, for the benefit of the whole world, the vision of the prophets of Israel, that "out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of G-d from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:3)
And just as the view of Korach and his entire camp ultimately lost out, so shall the "Korach" approach that seeks to blur the distinction between the sacred and profane in the life of the individual and the nation speedily be nullified. And through this, may we all merit "a new light shining over Zion" (from the morning prayers).