VOLUME 111 NUMBER 5
Sivan 29, 5784
July 5, 2024
PARSHAS KORACH
Candlelighting Time 8:13 PM

            The upheaval that Korach caused went far beyond his actual claims against Moshe. His dispute centered upon the seat of power in the nation. He contested Moshe’s authority, Ahron’s appointment as the Kohen Gadol and of course that his cousin was selected to be the head of his particular branch of the Levites. Many prominent members of the people mistakenly supported his mutiny and their punishment was not deferre  and it was swift and exacting. However, there were also secondary damages that occurred due to his insurgency. The people became frightened to come near the Mishkan. It seemed to them that their pure intent to come close to Hashem was spurned. Therefore, Hashem directly spoke to Ahron and commanded him to guard the Mishkan in such a fashion that those who are not allowed to enter will be prevented from doing so and not suffer a penalty.   

            Additionally, the Levites were assigned to join the Kohanim with this task of guarding the Mishkan and later the Mikdash from prohibited access. Since the Levites were tasked with this responsibility, why were they chosen to work under the guidance of the Kohanim? It would seem that this duty was straightforward and did not require outside assistance. Furthermore, why was it necessary to make this a joint mission? Also, this undertaking was established as a response to the nation that stated their concern about approaching the Mishkan. Clearly, as long as there were markers outlining the specific areas that were prohibited that would have been sufficient!

            In order to assuage the people after Korach and his henchmen were eliminated, every tribe placed their staff in the Mishkan near the Aron and the one that sprouted forth and bloomed was ultimately believed to be of special importance. The nation accused Moshe of causing the death of those who rebelled against him. This event was to display adequate proof of the status of Ahron and that he deserved to be the Kohen Gadol as dictated by Hashem. Of course, we know that Ahron’s staff blossomed, a clear indication of his justified rank of importance.

            S’fas Emes explains the significance of this event as follows. Ahron’s staff was made of a simple piece of wood. Yet due to his quintessence connection to Hashem it developed like a real tree. He embodied a true essential deep-rooted relationship with Hashem and within that context Hashem’s blessing is found. And we know that Ahron had the ability to draw others close to Hashem. As the dictum states, the right hand serves to create a close bond. And that was the innate nature of Ahron.   

            And that trait of Ahron typified the collective attribute of the Kohanim. The concept to place guards around the Mishkna wasn’t simply to safeguard the premises. Rather it exhibited a concern for the safety of others. Of course, a sign would have solved the problem. However, it is irreplaceable to have that kind of interaction between the people and the Levites. And the Levites served under the jurisdiction of the Kohanim because in that fashion they imbibed that special warmth and blessing that they received from Hashem and passed in onto the people.     

A BYTE FOR SHABBOS

Jealousy unto itself is a terrible characteristic. However, Korach intensified its malice because he also viewed Moshe with malevolence.                                                                                 CHOFETZ CHAIM

GOOD SHABBOS

WE ARE APPROACHING THE BEGINNING OF THE THREE WEEKS OF MOURNING LEADING UP TO TISHA B’AV. THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR BEIS HAMIKDASH STARES AT US AND WE WILL SIT ON THE FLOOR, CRYING AS WE RECITE THE LAMENTATIONS DESCRIBING THE TERRIBLE CALAMITIES THAT BEFELL OUR PEOPLE. M AY IT BE HIS WILL THAT THERE BE A CONCLUSION TO THE WAR IN GAZA AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO RESIDE IN PEACE.