My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) - Korach
Posted by Daniel M. Kimmel on June 26, 2009 | Tags:
Korach is one of the arch villains of the Torah, yet on the surface his question is legitimate: "For all the community is holy, all of them, and the Lord is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above the Lord's congregation?" (Num. 16:3) The issue here is one of motive. When the schools of Hillel and Shammai go after each other in Talmudic disputes, the argument is said to be "for the sake of heaven." They are debating their views because both sides have obeying God's law as their primary objective. Korach and his followers are not so altruistic. They are trying to subvert the authority of Moses and Aaron to their own advantage. It is for this reason that commentators condemn Korach as a demagogue. In the synagogue, in our homes, at work, at play... when we argue, are we doing it because we want what's best for everyone or because we want what's best for ourselves? It shouldn't take the threat of being swallowed by the earth to consider where our priorities should lie.
|
Daniel M. KimmelJoined: October 2, 2007 Daniel M. Kimmel is a Boston area film critic, lecturer and author. He does these weekly mini-lessons for the Mishkan Tefila Brotherhood's newsletter. You are free to use them for similar purposes. Divrei Torah (117) |
