Parashat Korach
Tammuz 2, 5785 / June 27-28, 2025
Torah: Numbers 16:1 - 18:32
Haftarah: 1 Samuel 11:14 - 12:22
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This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for the hostages.
This d’var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for the wounded and injured.
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Lunch and Learn meets Mondays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. NO LUNCH AND LEARN ON JUNE 30. WE RESUME ON JULY 7. We're continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya'akov.
On July 7, we'll be at Ein Ya'akov Yevamot, p. 39 (BT Yevamot 49b) -
'... תניא בן עזאי אומר' - "We are taught that Ben Azai says..."
Ein Ya'akov (Glick edition) is available for on-line reading or as a downloadable PDF at:
https://hebrewbooks.org/9630
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria:
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents
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Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/
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Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
A pointed Hebrew text version with different pagination is available at Sefaria:
https://www.sefaria.org/Ein_Yaakov?tab=contents
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about our various programs and becoming a Member at: https://bnaihayim.org/
----------------------------------------------------------------
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source.
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OH, FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE!
“Now Korach, son of Itzhar son of Kehat son of Levi, took
himself, along with Datan and Aviram, sons of Eliav, and On son of Pelet –
descendants of Reuven - to rise up against Moses, …” Numbers 16:1-2
“What is an example of an argument for the sake of
heaven's name? The argument of Hillel and Shammai. What is an example of an argument not for the
sake of heaven's name? The argument of Korach and all of his followers.” Pirkei
Avot 5:17
In his collected sermons, “Ye’Arot D’vash”, Rabbi Yonatan
Eibeschutz (Poland 17th-18th centuries) says, “Logically, the
Mishnah should have said ‘Korach and Moses’. Instead, within the camp of Korach
itself there were disputes, with each seeking glory for himself. That is proof that
their dispute was not for the sake of Heaven.”
The Punishment of Korah (detail from the fresco "Punishment of the Rebels" by Sandro Botticelli (1480–1482) in the Sistine Chapel)
There are disputes that have an aspect of holiness to
them, that actually matter in broad human affairs and whose outcomes have lasting
effect; and there are those that are unholy and petty, that are really about
self-aggrandizement and ultimately meaningless.
The arguments between Hillel and Shammai were not about
the individual rabbis - who was right and who was wrong - but about the course
to be followed by the Jewish people. “What is it that God and the Torah demand
of us Jews?” On the other hand, R. Eibeschutz’ understanding of Avot is that,
not only were Korach and his followers not interested in the future of the
people, they weren’t even interested in each other. “What’s in it for me?” was their true mantra.
Whether in religion or politics or some other area of
disagreement, the more personal it is, the less it will benefit the rest of the
community. Beware of any “leader” who cares only for himself and his power over
others.
Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Richard A. Flom, Rabbi Emeritus
Temple B'nai Hayim
שתיקה כהודאה דמיא
Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.
BT Yevamot 88(a)
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