| And Korach the son of Yitzhar the son of Kehat the son of Leivi, and Datan and Aviram, sons of Eliav, and On, the son of Pelat, of the tribe of Reivein, took: | Vayikakh Korach ben Yitzhar, ben Kehat, ben Leivi, ve-Datan va-Aviram b’nei Eliav, ve-On ben Palat b’nei Re’uvein. | וַיִּקַּח קֹרַח בֶּן־יִצְהָר בֶּן־קְהָת בֶּן־לֵוִי וְדָתָן וַאֲבִירָם בְּנֵי אֱלִיאָב וְאוֹן בֶּן־פֶּלֶת בְּנֵי רְאוּבֵן׃ |
Torah Thoughts
Korach, a prominent member of the Levi tribe, challenged Moshe Rabbeinu’ ‘s (Moses our teacher) and Aharon’s leadership. Moshe asked God to show the people a sign that Korach is wrong, whereupon Korach and his followers were swallowed up by the earth, which is not exactly what Moshe meant. The people, however, blamed Moshe for the death, stating that one Jew should not kill another, and that Moshe should not have asked God to kill those who challenged him. God then instructed the leaders of the tribes to label their walking sticks and place them in the Mishkan, and the next day Aharon’s rod bloomed with almond blossomed.
While the story in itself is interesting, it is also a fascinating study in the challenge of authority. I urge you to read or listen to the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ article on the subject. Links follow:
Blooming Rods: Theme and Variations
