Korach

In this parsha

Korach, a Levite, together with Dathan, Abiram, and two hundred fifty leaders, rebels against Moses and Aaron, claiming the entire people is holy and needs no hierarchy. Moses proposes a test with fire-pans of incense. The earth opens and swallows Korach and his followers, and fire consumes the two hundred fifty. When the people protest, a plague erupts and is halted by Aaron's incense. To confirm Aaron's selection, his staff alone blossoms and yields almonds. The gifts owed to the kohanim and Levites are then detailed.

Themes

• Dispute for Heaven versus self
• Bittul versus Korach's grasping
• Kehunah as Divine gift
• Unity through the inner point
• Aharon draws the distant near
• Chosenness above self-earned closeness

Must-read teachings

1. 1Dispute for Heaven's sake ends in unityIn the Mishnah (Avos 5:17): "Every dispute that is for the sake of Heaven (l'shem Shomayim) is destined to endure — this is the dispute of Shammai and Hillel; and one that is not for the sake of Heaven — the dispute of Korach and his assemb…תרמ"ז
2. 2Korach's separateness versus Aharon's self-nullification"And Korach took" — and he separated himself. As the Mishnah teaches, a dispute that is for the sake of Heaven (l'shem Shomayim) will endure in the end. Korach "took" by setting himself apart in a quarrel; the Mishnah (Avos 5:17) distinguis…תרנ"ו
3. 3Korach and the Single Point of HolinessIn the Midrash: "A brother offended is harder [to win] than a fortified city" (Mishlei 18:19). The Sefas Emes opens from the Midrash's citation of this passuk, applying it to the strife of Korach against Moshe. As it is written: "And this i…תרנ"ג
4. 4Chosenness versus self-earned closeness"And Korach took." The parsha opens (Bamidbar 16:1) with Korach "taking" — a word the Midrash connects to the way the Torah itself is "taken." For the Midrash teaches that the Torah was given through "taking" (lekichah) and through "gift" (…תרנ"ט
5. 5Aharon's daily Divine choosing versus Korach"In the morning Hashem will make known... whom He will choose..." (Bamidbar 16:5). Moshe answers Korach's challenge: by morning Hashem will reveal whom He has chosen. The Sefas Emes will probe why this revelation comes specifically "in the …תרמ"ב
6. 6Kohen and Levi: nearness, distance, and one's portion"And Korach took…" — it is taught that the final letters of "Tzaddi-k ka-tama-r yifra-ch" ("A tzaddik will flourish like a palm") spell "Korach." The Sefas Emes opens by noting that the very name Korach is hidden in the final letters of "a …תרנ"ז
7. 7Peace born out of machlokesThe Mishnah teaches: a machlokes (dispute) that is not for the sake of Heaven will not endure in the end — this is the machlokes of Korach (Avos 5:17). The Sefas Emes opens with Chazal's distinction: a quarrel pursued for selfish ends has n…תרנ"א
8. 8Self-seeking versus communal TorahIn the Midrash: "A brother offended is harder to win than a fortified city..." The Sefas Emes opens with the Midrash on Korach that cites this pasuk from Mishlei, which speaks of a brother who has rebelled and become estranged. For it is ta…תרס"ד