Parshat Korach

Korach took…and so did Datan and Abiran… They rose up before Moshe…When these had assembled themselves against Moshe and Aharon, they said to them: “You take too much upon yourselves, for the entire community, they are all holy and God is in their midst. Why do you lift yourselves up above the community of God?

16:1 - 3

Scripture does not state here: And Korach ‘quarreled,’ or ‘spoke,’ or ‘commanded,’ but it says, ‘and he took.’ What did he take? (the Midrash states) He did not take anything; rather, it was his heart that took (control of ) him…Ibn Ezra wrote…’he took men,’ But it is my opinion there is no need for these interpretations…because the word ‘taking’…is an expression of taking action to do that deed.

Ramban (13^th Century)

Moses heard, or rather, he understood the aim and the motivation of the claims and accusations made against him. It was a denial of the Divine character of his mission, motivated not by an erroneous notion that would have responded to correction, but by self-seeking jealousy which, under the pretense of representing the public interest, seeks only the satisfaction of its own selfish ambitions.

Samson Raphael Hirsch (19^th Century)

In this week which opens with the celebration of American independence, need we be reminded that the cornerstone of the American democratic system is ‘that all men are created equal? In claiming that the entire community is holy, Korach is echoing God’s command, enunciated most memorably at the opening of the Kedoshim portion, “Moses, speak to the whole Israelite community and say to them: You shall be holy for I, the Lord your God am holy.”…Ignoring the egalitarian argument which has aroused our sympathies, Moses reminds the group that, as Levites, they too benefit from this hierarchical system. While Korach’s argument has cleverly avoided god’s vote in the selection of leadership, Moses does not.

Ann Lapidus Lerner (Contemporary)

The history of our ancestors’ journey recounted in the book of Numbers might be described as a series of forgettings. The children of Israel forget the saving power of God and rebel time and time again.

Rabbi Mark Levine (Contemporary)

Note that they do not say: ’All the congregation is holy’ as a unit, but ‘All the congregation are holy.’ Every one of them, each one taken, individually. The assertion of individual selfish ambitions outweighs their group feeling as a ‘kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ They interpreted the mission of holiness, the role of ‘chosen people’ with which they had been charged by god, in a sense of conferring on them superiority and privilege, rather than as constituting a call to shoulder extra duties and responsibilities.

Nechama Leibowitz (Contemporary)

If we look at the verb ‘took’ in its most literal sense…we find that this one word, the verb without an object, is the most succinct way to declare that Korah was essentially a ‘taker,’ using his exclusive lineage to justify his taking…True he will shortly laud the nation’s potential for holiness, but Korah cares less for the issues than the benefits to be derived from them. For him, issues are secondary, the argument a pretext. Korach needs an issue – any issue- to justify his jealousy

Shlomo Riskin (Contemporary)

Every controversy that is pursued in a heavenly cause is destined to be perpetuated: and that which is not pursued in a heavenly cause is not destined to be perpetuated. Which can be considered a controversy pursued in a heavenly cause? This is the controversy of Hillel and Shammai. And that not pursued in a heavenly cause? This is the controversy of Korach and his congregation.

Pirkei Avot 5:17