Parshat Korach; Numbers 16: 1-18:31 By: Rabbi Denise L. Eger
No doubt that democracy has been good for the Jewish people. In democratic countries like the United States and Canada, the Jewish people have blossomed. In the United States our principle of the separation of church and state has allowed Judaism to claim its own sacred space for its people. Even though there is a Christian majority in the U.S. with deep Christian roots and even though at times there has been layers of discrimination for Jews, the democratic ideals of equality have informed the way in which Jews have been able to participate in society. Each human being, each citizen is equal no one being better than the other person. Each citizen has a vote and a voice to use and can rise to leadership if their peers agree.
At first reading, this week’s parasha, Korach, would seem to be a similar message given by the leader of a rebellion against Moses. Korach, Moses’ cousin, also a Levite along with two other of the tribe of Reuben, Dathan and Abiram rise up against Moses and Aaron and challenge their leadership of the Israelites in the desert. Korach, Datan and Abiram gather 250 additional chieftains, prominent men to join in their dispute over who should rightly lead the Israelite people. Korach claims the voice of equality. He comes from the same social caste and leadership caste—the tribe of Levi, as does Moses and Aaron. Korach says, “For all the community are holy, all of them and Adonai is in their midst. Why do you raise yourselves above God’s congregation? (Num. 16:3).”
Korach’s claim is that he is equally entitled to be the leader of the Israelites. After all, isn’t the entire Israelite nation holy to God? Even in last week’s parasha, Shelach, it tells us that in wearing the tzitzit “Thus you shall be reminded to observe all My commandments and to be holy to your God. (Num. 15:40).” Korach believes there is equality to the Levites and indeed to the whole Jewish people founded in the commandment of holiness to God. What makes Korach’s claim even more legitimate is that there are another 250 in his caucus that agree!
This is certainly something Moses and Aaron must contend with. They cannot ignore such a plea or such a rebellion. But Korach and Datan and Abiram have forgotten something more fundamental. It is true that the Israelites as a nation have a special covenant with God and are holy to God. All Israelites are holy. But the fledgling Israelite nation, only recently made to wander for an additional generation in the desert, is shaped by God. God chose the leadership not the people. God chose Moses and Aaron to lead the nation. Thus Korach, Datan and Abiram are not just challenging Moses and Aaron but their rebellion is challenging God’s authority.
Moses makes this clear when he sets up a test of who is favored by God. Moses tells Korach, “…and tomorrow put fire in them and lay incense on them before God. Then the man who Adonai chooses, he shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi.”(Num.16:7).
Korach and his followers become the offering themselves. As Aaron’s sons Nadav and Abihu once tried to offer alien fire on the altar and became a sacrifice so too Korach and his followers. “The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households that belonged to them. (Num. 16:32)” Then a fire comes forth from God and consumes the additional 250 leaders who followed the three ring leaders of the rebellion.
God has made clear who was chosen for leadership.
In our day and time it is not always so easy nor is the picture of leadership clear. But one does need to examine the context in which Korach challenged Moses and Aaron’s authority. He tried to take advantage of a time when the Israelite nation was in a difficult place. God had just decreed that the Israelites were not to enter the Promised Land for another 40 years because of their lack of faith. The 12 spies had lied about what they saw in the Promised Land and whipped the Israelites into a negative frenzy that filled the Israelites with fear, doubt and faithlessness. Then Korach, Datan and Abiram come along and try to further fuel this fire of fear and doubt among the Israelites. This time they whip a frenzy of fear and hopelessness about the leadership of the nation.
The message of our parasha continues to reinforce the message of the book of Bemidbar/Number that faith in God will bring about the Promised Land and rebellion and lack of faith doom us to wandering in the wilderness. Korach’s rebellion is one more reminder of this message to us and perhaps, we can in our time, try to build our faith so we can climb out of the wilderness of hopelessness.
Posted by Lee at June 11, 2007 09:55 AM
