Parashat Korach פָּרָשַׁת קוֹרַח

Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, attended his dear wife Chaya Rivka’s funeral in Jerusalem where he was the head of a yeshiva. At the last moment before Chaya was lowered into the ground, the rabbi did not ask for mechilla - forgiveness, from her, as was the custom.  He announced that he never did anything in all their years together for which he felt he needed forgiveness. Years later, he was questioned by a student, “Rabbi, how is it that you lived with someone for so long and never argued or disagreed?”

Rav Zalman responded “of course there were arguments, but always we would work together to find understanding. Most importantly we always, however long it took,  eventually came to a place of peace.”

Parshat Korach includes an argument, a disagreement that does not end peacefully. Korach launches his primary complaint against the High Priesthood of Aaron. By extension, he is also questioning the legitimacy of Moshe’s leadership and prophecy. Throughout the ages, experts, scholars and commentators have attempted to understand what Korach’s true motivations might have been. Surely Korach was aware of Hashem’s choice in Moshe, and how an outright rebellion would end in his own death, which of course, it did. After all, it was not all that long ago that Korach witnessed the deaths of Nadav and Avihu, Aaron's sons (and his own relatives) as the boys made missteps of their own of a similar nature. 

Perhaps Korach became convinced that his was the correct, and only acceptable view of Moshe’s leadership? 

Perhaps Korach even believed that Hashem agreed with him in that Moshe promoted priests through nepotism, or that Moshe was becoming too autocratic in his position over his people?

Korach and his followers also were present when Aaron and Miriam criticized their brother Moshe. Aaron was punished for this transgression, not at all, and Miriam only a bit more harshly. However the precedent was set; according to Korach’s view of these episodes, criticism of Moshe IS acceptable. 

Korach may have believed he was taking on a national crusade to break the absolute rule over the Jewish people, his brothers and sisters. His position and rallying cry was interesting.  “Why do we need a ruler when all Jews are holy?” 

While it may be true that each of us holds the potential for holiness, this question is the crux of the argument between order and chaos. It is also the question of independence and faithlessness against a devotion to one’s people and an acceptance of Hashem as our protector. In this case, Korach’s personal beliefs and ambitions drove him to a place of darkness, a place against Hashem, who he believed was on his side in his dispute of Moshe. As always, and in all things, we all must strike a balance to never confuse personal goals and wishes with Hashem’s will.