לזכות רפואה שלימה אחינו כל בית ישראל הנתונים בצרה ובשביה
This week’s Parshah, Parshat Korach, contains the foundations of our belief in the Torah and the 613 commandments. Korach, in an all too familiar narrative, was a relative of Moshe who felt slighted and lacking honor. There are various reasons for his perspective given by Rashi; perhaps he was upset that Aharon [Moshe’s brother] was chosen to be a Kohein [Rashi 16’ 1’]; perhaps he was upset by the process [that he felt was humiliating] he had underwent to become spiritually elevated as a Levi; perhaps his prophetic vision of his great descendant Shmuel clouded his ability to see properly, and therefore seek greatness for himself [Rashi, 16’ 7’]; regardless, he took up the populist mantra and claimed that due to the entire nation of Israel’s holiness [ Bamidbar 16’ 3’], there really was no need for a singular representative, and Moshe’s role as intermediary with G-d was unneccesary and a construct of Moshe’s pride and striving for glory.
Moshe’s response to this accusation, after trying to diffuse the machloket [arguement] peacefully, is a strident and stalwart defense of his actions and endeavors as leader of the Jews, and eventually, with no other options, he calls upon Hashem to settle the debate for eternity, and offers Korach and his followers that if Hashem lets them die a typical death, they will have been proven right; but if Hashem creates a miracle, and the earth swallows Korach and his possessions [Bamidbar 16’ 30’], Moshe and the actions he has taken will have been demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt to have been performed at G-d’s behest.
Rabbeinu Bachye [ad. Loc.], wonders about this chosen punishment on the part of Moshe, as well as his [after efforts to mitigate the argument failed] sharp display of judgement. Rabbeinu Bachye explains, that Moshe understood that this effort on the part of Korach in reality stood to undermine the entire Torah, for if Korach was not completely disproved vis-a-vis his claims, the next bitter individual would come and challenge a different detail in the Torah, with the end result being the complete nullification of the validity of the Torah. It is precisely because of the great threat to the Torah’s standing that Moshe felt that an extreme and open miracle was required here in order to maintain the veracity of the Torah. Additionally, Rabbeinu Bachye highlights that the entire foundation of heaven and earth exists solely on behalf of the Torah and its study [see the Possuk in Yirmiyahu 33’ 25’], and therefore, symbolically, the punishment of Korach consisted of the earth swallowing Korach and his possessions, and a heavenly fire [Bamidbar 16’ 35’] devouring his 250 followers-thus displaying, that without an acceptance of the validity of the Torah, as presented by Moshe, existence itself will implode. May we merit to grow in our following of the Torah and its laws, and bring the days of Moshiach, of which it is said “צדיק כתמר יפרח”!
Dedicated in memory of all those who have perished and sacrificed for Am Yisrael.
Have a Great Shabbas.