Themes in Korach:

Korach is the story of an unfortunate rebellion and insurrection within the Israelite wilderness community. It centers around Korach; a first cousin of Moses. Like Moses, Korach was a descendant of Levi. As a Levite, Korach is part of an elite group responsible for the ritual activities of Israel and for all of the ritual items associated with the Tabernacle.

Korach, however, seeks more authority. His grandfather was Kohath. Kohath had several children, the eldest being Amram, the father of Moses and Aaron. Kohath’s second child was Yitzhar, Korach’s father. Because of his lineage, Korach acknowledged that Aaron and Moses had family seniority. However, he believed that either Aaron or Moses deserved a top leadership position, either as clan head or as Head Priest. He did not think both of his cousins should receive the top appointments. Rather, as second in line, Korach thought one of those two coveted leadership positions should be rightfully his.

Except for his somewhat tenuous, genealogical claim, Korach offers no legitimate reason for his request (actually, his demand). He did not share anything about his character or skills. He simply declared that he was “robbed” of a position and then brought his case to the people. Rather than speaking privately and candidly with Moses, he publicly attacked Moses for denying the “holiness” of the entire nation.

In demagogue-like fashion, Korach then stages an insurrection, amassing a group of fellow rebels to join his cause. These other rebels were more interested in mutiny than in presenting a united front. They play relatively insignificant roles in the community and seem to be interested solely in power and not in the flourishing of their nation. It appears that the people who sided with Korach had no united agenda; they just saw opportunity to rebel. As a result, a contest was arranged to help validate Moses and Aaron’s authority.

A few observations:

• Jewish tradition recognizes legitimate disputes; what we refer to as l’shem shamayim (for the sake of heaven). In the Talmud, for example, there are many rabbinic disputes, known as Makhloket. These disputes are based on different-and legitimate-interpretations of the law, as understood by various sages. Korach’s dispute was not l’shem shamayim; it was a dispute motivated by self-interest exclusively. He could have been more mentschlikh; conversing with Moses until they arrived at a meaningful understanding. Instead, Korach only offered mutiny, and in the end he was “swallowed up” by the earth.

• Korach argues that the entire camp is holy. No one would dispute that claim; to use such an argument as an excuse for rebellion suggests that Korach was looking for any lame excuse to rebel. By his actions, Korach proved that in his personal life, he lacked a sense of holiness and was not a person of high character.

• In the future, we learn that Korach’s descendants not only survive but they become leading Levites of the nation. His children do not follow his path. When we seek to blame our parents for all our troubles in life; we should consider how Korach’s family members were not influenced by his contentious behavior.

It is tragic that Korach dismissed the prestigious honor and status already bestowed upon him. He could have been a genuine leader. Instead, his name is eternally associated with a bunch of rebels without a legitimate cause.

Maftir: Numbers 28:9-15

Today is the new month of Av. In honor of the new month, we read (from a second Torah), the verses which detail the offering made in honor of Rosh Hodesh/The New Moon (Month).

Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 66:1-24

Whenever Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbat, we read a special Haftorah from Isaiah. The hopeful message includes a reference to the new month (referred to in the Haftorah as the “new moon”):

And it shall come to pass;
From new moon after new moon
And Sabbath after Sabbath
All flesh shall come to worship Me
Said Adonay…