Parshat Korach: Numbers 16:1 – 18:32 By: Denise L. Eger
This is a week of great rebellion and challenge of the leadership and authority of Moses and Aaron. For several weeks now as the story of the Children of Israel in the desert has unfolded, there has been unrest, mutterings, and strife among the people. They have complained about everything. The food isn’t good enough. They long for some romanticized version of their lives in Egypt that was never real. Now on the edge of the Promised Land their fear and lack of faith has kept them from entering and the generation that left Egypt will end their lives in the desert without crossing over. There is turmoil in the encampment. Moses and Aaron even had to intercede with God on behalf of the people for God is impatient as well with the Israelites lack of faith and their constant complaints.
Thus in this week’s portion, Korach, we find that this disorder and mayhem reaches a new pitch. Korach, a cousin of Moses and Aaron along with Datan and Abiram take advantage of this instability and openly challenge Moses and Aaron’s leadership of the People. “They combined against Moses and Aaron and said to them, ‘You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of then and Adonai is in their midst, Why then do you raise yourselves above Adonai’s congregation?’ (Num. 16:3).”
Korach gathered more than 250 additional leaders and chieftains as part of his challenge. This is an attempted coup d'état. Indeed the whole household of Israel is holy. That is what the covenantal relationship is about. All of Israel is holy and a treasured people. But the descendants of Aaron, the Cohanim, the priesthood, have been elevated additionally to offer the sacrifices. The Levites also were given special duties for the Tabernacle. But now Korach wants to overthrow the order that has been selected by God. This is something that Korach forgot as part of the formula. Moses and Aaron have not just selected themselves. But they were placed into their leadership roles by God.
Moses rather than just quash the rebellion with his own forces is confident that God will reaffirm his leadership. “Come morning, Adonai will make known who is God’s and who is holy and will grant that one access to Adonai. God will grant access to the person God has chosen (Num. 16:5).” And so a great duel is proposed. Not of course with counted off paces and guns or swords but this is duel none the less. Moses tells Korach and his followers to take the instruments of their Tabernacle service, their fire pans, (after all they are Levites who serve) and place an offering of incense upon them and they will see whose offering God chooses.
Moses can’t resist however a further admonishment to Korach and his followers. “Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has set you apart from the community of Israel and given you access to God, to perform the duties of Adonai’s Tabernacle and to minister to the community and serve them…..yet you seek the priesthood too? (Num. 16:9-10). Moses forces Korach and 250 followers to face their egos, their hubris and their yes, their sin in not recognizing their special and sacred role but wanting to supplant Aaron and his descendants.
The next day, the offerings are laid out and Korach has gathered the whole community at the Ohel Moed. His own blind ego does not let him see clearly. God’s Divine Presence appears not just to Moses and Aaron but to everyone in the community. And God sees the community’s presence as an affront—as a lack of faith. Moses and Aaron must intercede on behalf of the people so that God doesn’t take them along with the ringleaders.
And so there is an offering that is consumed. The ground opens up and Korach along with Datan and Abiram are swallowed up. The earth takes back the challengers and the coup d’état is averted not by Moses’ but by God’s hand. And a fire offering does go out from God and the fire pans with the incense are consumed but the 250 followers become part of the offering.
Thus the rebellion is quashed. God reaffirms Moses’ and Aaron’s position among the people in a dramatic fashion. Korach asserted the holiness of all the people. In this regard he wasn’t wrong. We are a holy people. But he failed to understand the sacred call that Moses and Aaron were fulfilling. They had been picked not by election of the people but election by God. Aaron’s sons were chosen to be the priests. This was not a case of nepotism but this was according to our Torah God’s plan. Moses and Aaron were called to this sacred service.
Korach failed because his own faith was weak and his ego overflowing with self-righteousness. He did not embrace his own sacred calling as a Levite who was called to sacred and holy duty in the Tabernacle. Korach ignored his sacred calling. He took advantage of a situation and played upon the fears and unrest that filled the encampment. Korach did not seek to build up the people of Israel and the Divine Holy One, but rather he sought to tear it down. Korach didn’t walk with God but sought to build up himself at the expense of others.
Thus in our own lives we must learn to listen to the Divine voice in each of us that points us to our own sacred calling. What is it that God wants of me? How can I seek to build up the Jewish people? How can I seek to praise God? Then indeed we can live the words of the prophet Micah: What does Adonai require of you? Only to do justice, love goodness and walk humbly with your God. Then will your name achieve wisdom (6:8).
Posted by Jimmy at June 24, 2008 10:26 AM
