Korach 2022
Isaac’s Parsha Corner · 2022
Korach’s Complaint
Following the reports by the spies in last week’s Parsha, we read about the complaints against Moshe:
And all the Children of Israel complained against Moshe and Aaron. And the entire group said to them, “Oh, we would have preferred to have died in the land of Mitzrayim or in this wilderness. And, why does God bring us to this land to fall by the sword, our wives and children to be abused?” And they said to one another, “Let us appoint a new leader and return to Mitzrayim.” (Num 14 :2-4)
“The new leader was to be Korach” (Ibid., Maor Haaphelah)
The episode of the spies and the story of Korach are closely related in terms of context and content. Korach had been waiting in the wings for the opportunity to step forward and challenge Moshe’s leadership. Recall that back in Parshat Beha’alotcha, the Midrash reported Korach’s unhappiness and suggested that he had broad support as a leader:
And this shall you do to them (the Tribe of Levi) to purify them, sprinkle on them the waters of the Sin Offering (the Red Heifer) and shave their entire bodies and have their garments washed (immersion in a mikvah), then they will pure.” (Num 8:7)
The shaving of the body is reminiscent of the Metzorah, who performs that act as part of his purification process. Imagine being compared to a Metzorah, the most outcast and despised of all persons! One might also imagine Korach’s reaction – although the Midrash furnishes this information:
Moshe performed these rituals upon Korach, who was a Levi. Korach then went out among the people and was not recognized because he had been shaved. The people asked Korach, “Who did this to you?” He responded, “Moshe did it to me! And then I was lifted up and waved around like a sheep. All this while his brother Aaron is dressed up like a bride and ensconced in the holy tent.” Immediately Moshe’s detractors (enemies) bad-mouthed Moshe among the nation saying, “look how he is making himself king, his brother the high priest and the sons as assistant high priests. Look who receives the twenty-four gifts from the people; all that goes to his family, the Kohanim!” Immediately the people gathered together against Moshe and Aaron. (Midrash Ancient Tanchumah Parshat Korach)
Korach, who, according to the Midrash, was wealthy and intelligent, felt humiliated by the shaving ritual.
“There were two rich individuals in the world, namely, Haman and Korach. Both attempted to use their wealth to influence the world in their own favor. Haman was hanged and Korach was swallowed up alive.” (Aggadas Esther 5:11)
With his great wealth, Korach was able to exercise control over two hundred and fifty men described in the Torah as “leaders of the Edah (collective),” those called to meetings (council wise men), men of renown. He invited them into his tent and lavished upon them gifts, food, and drink. He bought their support and used his own self-victimization as a pretense to challenge Moshe. Korach was articulate while Moshe was “hard of speech and heavy of tongue.” While Moshe was busy teaching Torah and building a Mishkan, Korach was consolidating his support, spreading around his wealth with one goal in mind: to replace Moshe as leader. Moshe was described as being the humblest of men while Korach was ego personified. Korach was an expert at creating a negative narrative (L ‘[ashon Harah). That negative narrative had been circulating within the camp for some time and when the spies supported the narrative, Korach’s name came up immediately. The lessons learned from the story of the Korach rebellion are richer now that we understand more fully the context and background of the story.
Dedicated to the memory of Joel Shulman A’H