ABRAHAM’S TENT: WEEK#39: KORACH, THE FINAL STANDOFF!
This is the weekly portion read on the 39th week of the Torah cycle (5 books of Moses), for the week
of JUNE 22ND - 28TH, 2025 (26TH of SIVAN – 2ND of TAMUZ, 5785).
If you have questions or comments, please feel free to contact me:
Rabbi John Ludemann, email: kolchesed@gmail.com
(Editor’s note: I've had a number of people ask “Why do you not spell out GOD’s Name?”. The reason
is that as observant Jews, we try to observe the third commandment (Exodus 20:7) ‘YOU SHALL NOT
TAKE THE LORD YOUR GOD’S NAME IN VAIN’. The word in Hebrew for vain is “Shav” which means literally “commonplace” or “to throw away”. To prevent such an error, the custom is to drop the first vowel (G-D, L-RD,) or replace that name with the Hebrew phrase “The NAME” which is transliterated as “HaSHEM” or “HaShem”. It is a reminder of that third commandment and is in no way disrespecting the Almighty Creator of the Universe. )
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This week we see the final standoff of this old generation. We meet the leader of the rebellion: his name is Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32).
Back in the last portion, after the spies gave a bad report, we see a large contingent wanting to return to Egypt.
They were looking for a leader to return them from the exodus (Numbers 14:4).
They found a person unlike Moses.
Korach was rich, well spoken, and from the tribe of Levi.
He was second in line from Aaron’s family.
Korach thought that Moses was no “Man of G-D” and that all he would have to do is convince a small group of Israelites to leave and he would march them triumphantly back to Egypt.
He felt that after the spies gave a poor report and the curse of 40 years on this generation, it was time
for a change of leadership.
Apparently Korach didn’t get the memo from the end of Numbers 12 9-16 when Miriam tried to assert her status of Prophetess equal to Moses’ standing.
G-D’s response was a Tzaraas affliction.
Korach was among some of those whose G-D’s presence fell upon as the leaders of Israel, and shared
Moses gift (Numbers 11:24-30).
Korach confused that divine gift with the right to oppose Moses.
Free will is a funny thing.
You can have gifts similar to those around you, but it is your humility or the lack thereof that makes you a great leader, or a great failure.
Korach’s sons, who did not stand with Korach when he opposed Moses, understood that their calling was an important one; yet, they knew that the purpose of their gifts were for the greater good of entering the promised land.
In fact, Korach’s family who did not stand with him, later became great prophets (Samuel was a grandson of Korach), and Korach’s Levitical family wrote 70% of the book of Psalms.
Korach knew what he was doing was counter to G-D’s purpose, but chose to use his status to solidify his power, by doing what the people wanted, not what G-D ordained.
This is the fall and fault of Korach.
He was a populist in the worst possible way for the worst possible reason.
He did not reassure his fellow Jews. He played on their fears and frustrations.
Most of those fears and frustrations were self-made by the Israelites themselves.
This is bad leadership.
When you are called with a clear goal in mind, and a clear job to do, you can do it for the betterment of the group, with little recognition.
It is the height of selfishness to play on people’s fears and shortcomings to get power.
That type of leader will let the whole group die if that means getting a good situation for them and them alone.
We see this in companies today.
The CEO only cares for his bonus and will lie and placate to the fear of the workers who have been there for decades.
When the end comes, the workers who believed in the CEO, have no job, pension, or security.
The CEO gladly sells off their livelihood from under the workers for the CEO’s benefit.
This is not leadership, it’s wholesale slaughter for those who follow him. Ultimately, if you follow truth, and focus on your goals set before you, you will see success, for yourself and for your progeny.
If you follow your fear, and placate to your frustrations, you will be like Korach – swallowed up whole.
Stand with truth, not fear.
The choice is yours to choose.
Next Week: Chukat: The mystery of the Red Heifer.
Rabbi John Ludemann,
Dir. Rel. Ed and History
www.kolchesed.org
