VOLUME 121 NUMBER 6
Tamuz 4, 5786
June 19, 2026
Parshas Korach
Candlelighting Time 8:13
The episode of Korach dampened the prestige of the Kohanim. Perhaps after Korach challenged Moshe’s authority to bestow upon Ahron and his children the opportunity and obligation to serve in the Mishkan and later in the Beis Hamikdash the nation would not respect them. And even though they were given the 24 different gifts, maybe their entitlement was not so forthcoming. Therefore, Hashem restated their rights to ensure that there would no longer be any controversy. It would seem this declaration was no more than a settling of a dispute between two parties. However, Rashi explains that this announcement was stated with happiness. Was the happiness that any future complaints were now relegated? Rav Zundel Kroizer questions who was actually happy? Was Ahron the recipient of the gifts for his tribe celebrating or was Hashem enjoying that His servants would now have the opportunity to serve in the Mishkan and receive ample renumeration for their efforts?
In his sefer Ohr HaChamah he explains that in the previous verses we clearly see that Ahron was extremely satisfied and content with his service for the people in the Mishkan. Indeed, he was so gratified that he experienced tremendous joy and happiness. And amidst his enjoyment and satisfaction, Hashem awarded him and confirmed his entitlement for all the gifts from the people to the Kohanim. Perhaps when the nation witnessed Ahron’s tremendous exuberance in his involvement in the Mishkan then they truly realized that he and his descendants were vindicated in receiving the gifts that they accepted from the people.
And the simcha did not end there because Ahron’s incredible attitude and disposition earned him a rating with Hashem that created a bond of love borne of the happiness that he espoused and was reciprocated by Hashem. This happiness permeated their relationship and led to not just a confirmation of the gifts that should be given to the Kohanim but an elevation of the entire nation ensued now realizing that Ahron and his descendants were worthy of their position and qualified of their support from the people.
After the enumeration of the gifts granted to the Kohanim the Torah states that they do not have rights in the Land of Israel, rather Hashem is their inheritance and they will not receive a portion amongst the rest of the people. The verse seems to be unusually verbose when the Torah is as a rule very concise. K’sav Sofer submits a powerful message in our appreciation of the role of the Kohanim. Since their sustenance originates from the nation one might assume that the people are giving them from their own individual earnings. However, the Torah wants us to understand that what we possess is actually a result of the Kohanim’s service in the Mishkan. The connection that they create between the nation and Hashem promotes that Hashem’s benevolence reaches us and we are endowed with blessing in our endeavors. Therefore, the truth is actually just the opposite. What they receive is due them for they are the origin of that generosity that is bestowed upon the people. We must realize that the celestial blessing is not generated from Hashem without the dynamism of our actions in this world and specifically the Kohanim who are powerful force through their intense service.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
When Moshe attempted to quell the animosity of Korach and his followers, Dasan and Aviram responded that even if you remove our eyes we will not meet to compromise. So is the intensity that a dispute can generate that people are willing to be physically maimed but they will not back down from their fight. CHOFETZ CHAIM
GOOD SHABBOS
