Do you know the difference between Communism and Capitalism? In Communism, Man exploits Man. In Capitalism, it's just the opposite.
Korach's high-minded appeal to Bnei Yisrael to rebel against Moshe and elect Korach as leader is packaged in moralistic phraseology - democracy, the "rights of the people," "share the wealth," etc. But Korach is quite obviously just another power-hungry megalomaniac out to grab as much fame and fortune as his greedy little hands will hold.
The more things change, alas, the more they remain the same.
But it still is hard to understand why Korach would go against Moshe - his own cousin, no less! - and accuse him of being arrogant. "Why do you lord yourself over the congregation of G-d?" (16:3) he self-righteously spouts. Among all his exemplary qualities, Moshe is best known as being the most humble man on Earth. So, where is Korach coming from?
Rabbi Twerski suggests that this is a classic case of projection. Korach is the real demagogue, the one whose ego is way out of control and over-inflated, like a bloated tire. But Korach projects his own flawed character onto Moshe and so is unable to imagine that anyone could be so selfless and giving, seeking the betterment of others, than himself.
That this is the case is clear from the statement in Pirkei Avot 5:20:
But that is precisely the point. Korach's beef wasn't truly against Moshe. His problem was his inner lust for power, which merely manifested itself vis-a-vis Moshe. Even his own followers were able to "read" him, and they came to understand that a Korach regime would not usher in a "Golden Age," just a glitzy fool's-gold facade that was essentially worthless.
As On's wife wisely told her husband, "This guy is out for his own good, not for On's good!"
Korach may be the patron saint of politicians; but I'm proud to be a descendant of Moshe. He's got my vote.
Korach's high-minded appeal to Bnei Yisrael to rebel against Moshe and elect Korach as leader is packaged in moralistic phraseology - democracy, the "rights of the people," "share the wealth," etc. But Korach is quite obviously just another power-hungry megalomaniac out to grab as much fame and fortune as his greedy little hands will hold.
The more things change, alas, the more they remain the same.
But it still is hard to understand why Korach would go against Moshe - his own cousin, no less! - and accuse him of being arrogant. "Why do you lord yourself over the congregation of G-d?" (16:3) he self-righteously spouts. Among all his exemplary qualities, Moshe is best known as being the most humble man on Earth. So, where is Korach coming from?
Rabbi Twerski suggests that this is a classic case of projection. Korach is the real demagogue, the one whose ego is way out of control and over-inflated, like a bloated tire. But Korach projects his own flawed character onto Moshe and so is unable to imagine that anyone could be so selfless and giving, seeking the betterment of others, than himself.
That this is the case is clear from the statement in Pirkei Avot 5:20:
Any dispute for the sake of Heaven will have a positive outcome; any dispute not for the sake of Heaven will not be fulfilled. What dispute was noble? That of Hillel and Shammai. Which was ignoble? Korach and his entourage.What is puzzling here is that we cite the dispute as being between Korach and his band of rebels. Should the dispute not have been described as between Korach and Moshe?
But that is precisely the point. Korach's beef wasn't truly against Moshe. His problem was his inner lust for power, which merely manifested itself vis-a-vis Moshe. Even his own followers were able to "read" him, and they came to understand that a Korach regime would not usher in a "Golden Age," just a glitzy fool's-gold facade that was essentially worthless.
As On's wife wisely told her husband, "This guy is out for his own good, not for On's good!"
Korach may be the patron saint of politicians; but I'm proud to be a descendant of Moshe. He's got my vote.