Korach:
-1Korach 5764
From one perspective Korach was right, the more we institutionalise our approach in Halacha, the less it feels like an experience of relationship to G-d, and rather more like social conformity. But here is the point – Korach’s exact argument is that there should be no divisions – hence Moshe’s reply “Boker” (Rashi) HaShem has set boundaries in His world, just as HaShem divided morning from evening, and they cannot be nullified. There is no problem with boundaries per se, as they just define the uniqueness of being, they only set up a need to co-relate.
Korach son…ben Levi. Rashi - Why not Yaakov? – because he is emes – tiferes – the harmonization of opposites – and Korach is the symbol of macklokes. Perhaps this is the expression of “al tachaid kivodi” my honor should not join them – i.e. should not join them together.
“And the glory of HaShem appeared to the entire assembly…” So no one can say this is w/o HaShem’s Will. But also – whenever it says this phrase I think it’s pointing out that the people had lost a sense of the immediacy of G-d’s existence. It’s only when G-d becomes a memory instead of a Presence that we sin.
“The earth opened it’s mouth and swallowed… and their entire wealth.” Death is the great harmonizer. We have a split identity – body and soul. We sin because we are led after the body, but Korach was worse, he sinned so to speak with his soul – that is, he took the role his soul was given and inflated it
Source of division in the world is the second day of Creation – hence on the second day – already multiplicity – HaShem separates between the waters above the earth and the waters on the earth. But these are in constant co-relationship.
Hillel and Shammai – (Avos 5:21) they would
The Gm. Says “ailu v’ailu” divrei Elokim Chaim. “Chaim” – alive, because Elokim is the power of Creation, and our perspective on G-d, our PERCEPTION of truth is always going to be from “our side.” The way to truth is to hear the other side as well, and then choose.
There is a great irony that Korach wanted the kehunah gedolah, when we consider that Aharon was his opposite – Ohev Shalom and Rodef Shalom. Ohev Shalom means to
Avos – 1:12 – Hillel and Shammai received it from them; Hillel used to say: Be of the students of Aharon: Love peace and pursue peace, love people and bring them close to Torah.
Avos – 4:21 – R. Eliezer haKafar says: Jealousy, craving and honor remove a person from the world.
From one perspective Korach was right, the more we institutionalise our approach in Halacha, the less it feels like an experience of relationship to G-d, and rather more like social conformity. But here is the point – Korach’s exact argument is that there should be no divisions – hence Moshe’s reply “Boker” (Rashi) HaShem has set boundaries in His world, just as HaShem divided morning from evening, and they cannot be nullified. There is no problem with boundaries per se, as they just define the uniqueness of being, they only set up a need to co-relate.
Korach son…ben Levi. Rashi - Why not Yaakov? – because he is emes – tiferes – the harmonization of opposites – and Korach is the symbol of macklokes. Perhaps this is the expression of “al tachaid kivodi” my honor should not join them – i.e. should not join them together.
“And the glory of HaShem appeared to the entire assembly…” So no one can say this is w/o HaShem’s Will. But also – whenever it says this phrase I think it’s pointing out that the people had lost a sense of the immediacy of G-d’s existence. It’s only when G-d becomes a memory instead of a Presence that we sin.
“The earth opened it’s mouth and swallowed… and their entire wealth.” Death is the great harmonizer. We have a split identity – body and soul. We sin because we are led after the body, but Korach was worse, he sinned so to speak with his soul – that is, he took the role his soul was given and inflated it
Source of division in the world is the second day of Creation – hence on the second day – already multiplicity – HaShem separates between the waters above the earth and the waters on the earth. But these are in constant co-relationship.
Hillel and Shammai – (Avos 5:21) they would
The Gm. Says “ailu v’ailu” divrei Elokim Chaim. “Chaim” – alive, because Elokim is the power of Creation, and our perspective on G-d, our PERCEPTION of truth is always going to be from “our side.” The way to truth is to hear the other side as well, and then choose.
There is a great irony that Korach wanted the kehunah gedolah, when we consider that Aharon was his opposite – Ohev Shalom and Rodef Shalom. Ohev Shalom means to
Avos – 1:12 – Hillel and Shammai received it from them; Hillel used to say: Be of the students of Aharon: Love peace and pursue peace, love people and bring them close to Torah.
Avos – 4:21 – R. Eliezer haKafar says: Jealousy, craving and honor remove a person from the world.