Taste of Torah for Parashat Korach
Torah:                 Numbers 16:1 - 18:32
Haftarah:             I Samuel 11:14 - 12:22

The way to have power is to take it. - Boss Tweed

Character is power. - Booker T. Washington

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.  - Abraham Lincoln

Dear Friends,

Moses has his hands full.  The challenging task of leading the Israelites from Egypt to the Land has grown more difficult.  Moses is now going to be leading the people for a lot longer than he thought, because the report by the scouts means that the Israelites will be in the wilderness for forty years.  The morale in camp is low.  A man is caught gathering wood on Shabbat, which Moses and the camp learn is a capital crime after a consultation with God.  Now, Moses' cousin, Korach, is leading a rebellion.  In this week's Torah portion, Parashat Korach, we read:  

Now Korach, son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, betook himself, along with Datan and Aviram sons of Eliav, and On son of Pelet - descendants of Reuben - to rise up against Moses, together with two hundred and fifty Israelites, chieftains of the community, chosen in the assembly, men of repute.  They combined against Moses and Aaron and said to them, "You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and the Lord is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above the Lord's congregation?"  When Moses heard this, he fell on his face.  [Numbers 16:1 - 4]

The rebellion against Moses and against Aaron is lead by their own family.  There are two hundred fifty other leaders involved, people who are well known throughout the camp.  In the face of such an overwhelming situation, falling on one's face almost seems natural, but in biblical terms, it is unusual.  Why does Moses fall on his face? 

In the Torah, prostrating oneself is usually an act of prayer.  In his commentary, Hertz suggests that Moses falls on his face in order to pray to God for some guidance.  Hertz's alternate explanation is that this action is "an expression of despair at this sinful rebellion..."  Rashi's commentary combines both the prayer and the dismay.  Rashi draws on a midrash that suggests that because the rebellion is the latest in a series of grievous sins, Moses falls on his face in order to pray, but he worries that God will no longer accept any prayers on behalf of the people.

The modern commentator, Plaut, explains that the action is generally connected with prayer, but here Moses' actions reflect either "humility or powerlessness".  This comment echoes a Chasidic interpretation of the verse.  Moses falls on his face because of what he heard.  Korach says that all of Israel is holy, and Moses realizes how far the actions of people are from holiness and what a difficult thing it is for anyone to reach that level of holiness, which underscores his humility.  In the midst of a truly overwhelming situation, he doesn't give up.  He speaks strongly to Korach and his band, challenging both the act of their rebellion and the justification for it.  We read:  "Then he spoke to Korach and all his company, saying, 'Come morning, the Lord will make known who is His and who is holy, and will grant him access to Himself; He will grant access to the one He has chosen.'"  [Numbers 16:5]  Moses is reminding Korach that God is the one who has chosen the leaders of the Israelites and that God is the one who determines who or what is holy.  In the end, God does affirm Moses and Aaron as the leaders of the people.  Moses still has his hands full, but he continues leading Israel through the Wilderness.

Our hands are full too.  We have so much to cope with in all the areas of our lives before anything goes wrong.  We might have one thing after another go wrong and be ready to fall on our faces in despair.  Or we might be in despair over our spiritual lives and it seems impossible to ever improve.  Moses falls on his face at a moment of being overwhelmed, but whether he is in prayer or despair, whether he worries about God accepting yet another request or about how far removed he is from holiness, he keeps on going.  He moves to face the challenges with God's help.  It is with God's help that Moses will shepherd the people towards their destination, both geographic and spiritual.  It is with God's help that we are able to face our challenges, in all the areas of our lives.
 

Shabbat Shalom & a blessed week,

Rabbi Batsheva Appel

Director of Rabbinic Services

Please share this message with family and friends, especially those who do not have access to email, and when your congregation gathers for services I invite you to read this Taste of Torah from the bima.  As always, please be in touch.  I’d particularly appreciate hearing about simchahs, moments of joy, [i.e. births, birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, graduations] or illnesses or other challenges in your family or community.