Korach 5770

The Zohar
	Presenting the Present
	From the teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai; translation & commentary by Simcha-Shmuel Treister

Korach's approach was to create disunity in order to advance his own political agenda; this is in contrast to the way we supposed to act. The Zohar states that a person should include the attribute of night with the attribute of day and the attribute of night within that of day. "Day" is the light of Zeir Anpin, i.e. the emotions, such as kindness. These should be consciously brought into focus where there is a lack of love and a lack of consciousness, i.e. "darkness".

The Holy Ari
	Knowing One's Place
	From the Writings of the Ari as recorded by Rabbi Chaim Vital; translated and edited by Moshe Yakov Wisnefsky

The rebellion of Korach is chronicled in this Torah portion. Korach's rebellion occurred shortly after the incident with the Spies, i.e. during the first year after the Exodus. After the incident with the Spies, G-d declared that that generation would perish in the desert and only the next generation would enter the Land of Israel. Thus, the first generation was "over", and the history and mentality of the second generation had taken over by the time Korach mounted his revolt.

The daat, or divine consciousness of this generation, the second generation of the Exodus, was "female" relative to the "male" daat of the first generation of the Exodus. This was necessary in order for them to enter the Land of Israel and concretize the abstract consciousness of the first generation.

Mystical Classics
	The Eternal Covenant
	From the teachings of Rabbi Bachya ben Asher

A "salt-like covenant" is an eternal covenant; just as salt preserves the meat indefinitely, so this type of covenant endures indefinitely. The major ingredient of salt is water. Due to the power of the sun which shines upon it, it turns into salt. In other words, salt represents a fusion of the elements fire and water. Similarly, the tithe is the share given to the Levites as a "salt-covenant" which is a combination of the attributes Mercy and Justice.

Chasidic Masters
	Inner Humility vs. Arrogance
	From Sefas Emmes on the Torah by Rabbi Yehudah Aryeh Leib Alter

Moses was the epitome of humility, there wasn't a trace of arrogance in his actions in spite of the fact that he was the leader of the nation, spoke with G-d face to face and was revered or feared by all the inhabitants of the world. Everything he did was for the sake of the the nation. Yet, to a truly arrogant person like Korach, Moses' every move was a proof of Moses' own arrogance.

The Sefas Emmes brings teaches in the name of the Holy Jew of Peshischa that when detractors come up in opposition to the tzadik, they specifically attack him concerning a quality in which he has already achieved perfection. Therefore, Korach accused Moses of arrogantly usurping power for himself and Aaron over the Jewish nation.

Contemporary Kabbalists
	Doorways and Discontent
	From the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; adapted by Moshe-Yaakov Wisnefsky

The sages labeled Korach and his faction as the archetype of strife and conflict, i.e. "What is a controversy...that is not for the sake of Heaven? It is the controversy of Korach and his whole faction." Furthermore, the sages do not describe this controversy as one between Korach and Moses - for Moses did not quarrel with them - only "They gathered together against Moses and Aaron". The sages' statement also implies that the controversy raged between "Korach and his whole faction", that is, between themselves. An endeavor against G-d (or Moses) always becomes strife-ridden, for it attacks the essence of unity and seeks selfish concerns and personal gratification.

Korach felt that it is enough to acquire spirituality. Once you've become knowledgeable and well-read, there is no need for a mezuzah on your doorpost. Moses insisted, however, that a mezuzah is still necessary as it contains the first two passages of the Shema, the first reminding us constantly that wherever one may be, everything is G-d's and the second remanding a complete adherence to all of G-d's commandments and directions.

We affix the mezuzah in the doorway between the home and the street. In this way, the teachings of the Torah are not confined to the dusty bookshelf. Our declaration of devotion to the Torah's teachings accompanies us out into the world and becomes a part of our everyday lives.

Ascent Lights
	Equality: Actions and Intentions
	By Shaul Yosef Leiter

While most of the portion is about the disastrous results of the rebellion, we are nevertheless touched by how tenacious and strong-willed Korach was to accomplish his goal and not give up on his dream. His desire to be the high priest is in itself something positive.

Similarly, each of our souls was brought into this physical world - an environment where making mistakes is easily possible - solely so that we can overcome the difficulties and use our intelligence and free choice to best serve the Almighty.

The lesson from the parasha, apart from the obvious of not making the mistakes Korach did, is to know ourselves and use the ability that G-d granted us for the greatest good possible. We should want to be a high priest, against all odds.

Mystic Story
	The Korach Syndrome
	By Yerachmiel Tilles

The righteous perceive each event as a message from G-d.

Shabbat Shalom.