ב"ה
Korach 5770 - June 11, 2010
Parshah
The Road to Heaven
"I, too, desire it!" Is Moses playing devil's advocate? Or is he baring a soul driven by a striving so exalted and G-dly that it is beyond the reach even of a Moses, a soul that finds its deepest yearnings frustrated by a divine command barring its path, commanding, "Stop. No. Not Yet."
"I, too, desire it!" Is Moses playing devil's advocate? Or is he baring a soul driven by a striving so exalted and G-dly that it is beyond the reach even of a Moses, a soul that finds its deepest yearnings frustrated by a divine command barring its path, commanding, "Stop. No. Not Yet."
Humility vs. Low Self-Confidence
Moses reacted forcefully when Korach suggested that he was not worthy of leading the Jews. Is this an appropriate response for a most humble individual?
Moses reacted forcefully when Korach suggested that he was not worthy of leading the Jews. Is this an appropriate response for a most humble individual?
Quality of Sobriety
It can be a hard pill for such an insecure lot as us to swallow, but if we know people who have real quality sobriety, we should admit it and aspire to be like them.
It can be a hard pill for such an insecure lot as us to swallow, but if we know people who have real quality sobriety, we should admit it and aspire to be like them.
Korach Over Dinner
When I hear the M word, I feel hot air breathed down my back. Mental flags go up, signaling, "Someone's got an agenda here, and the agenda is to take you over."
When I hear the M word, I feel hot air breathed down my back. Mental flags go up, signaling, "Someone's got an agenda here, and the agenda is to take you over."
The Gap of Life
The etymology of Korach: Our Sages tell us that the structure of creation is represented by the Hebrew letter Hei. Contrasting the form of the Hei with the three letters that comprise the name "Korach" reveals the three basic distortions of reality from which conflict and disharmony arise
The etymology of Korach: Our Sages tell us that the structure of creation is represented by the Hebrew letter Hei. Contrasting the form of the Hei with the three letters that comprise the name "Korach" reveals the three basic distortions of reality from which conflict and disharmony arise
The Parshah in a Nutshell
Korach challenges Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership, inciting mutiny and offering forbidden incense. The subsequent blossoming of Aaron’s staff proves that his position as high priest is divinely ordained.
Korach challenges Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership, inciting mutiny and offering forbidden incense. The subsequent blossoming of Aaron’s staff proves that his position as high priest is divinely ordained.
Jewish Stories
Silence Speaks
Silence. Perplexed, the bank manager looked at the Rebbe. The Rebbe looked at him. More silence. What was going on?
Silence. Perplexed, the bank manager looked at the Rebbe. The Rebbe looked at him. More silence. What was going on?
The Shabbat Man
Some called him Reverend Abrahamson. Others called him Cantor. My father called him Chazzan and bristled at the other names...
Some called him Reverend Abrahamson. Others called him Cantor. My father called him Chazzan and bristled at the other names...
The Tree
A man was travelling through the desert, hungry, thirsty, and tired, when he came upon a tree bearing luscious fruit and affording plenty of shade, underneath which ran a spring of water...
A man was travelling through the desert, hungry, thirsty, and tired, when he came upon a tree bearing luscious fruit and affording plenty of shade, underneath which ran a spring of water...
"What If There Is A G‑d?"
The door swung open and Rabbi Shlomo walked out and began to pace in the waiting room. Suddenly, he loudly exclaimed: "Young man, young man, what will be if indeed there is a G‑d in this world?"
The door swung open and Rabbi Shlomo walked out and began to pace in the waiting room. Suddenly, he loudly exclaimed: "Young man, young man, what will be if indeed there is a G‑d in this world?"
The Jewish Woman
Make Them or Break Them
On's wife did what any devoted better-half would do—she reassured him that she would take care of the situation. She then neutralized her husband (thank G‑d for the bottle!) as zero-hour approached...
On's wife did what any devoted better-half would do—she reassured him that she would take care of the situation. She then neutralized her husband (thank G‑d for the bottle!) as zero-hour approached...
2/3 of a Mommy
Sometimes I look at my living family and feel so filled with love that I could radiate with it, overwhelmed with joy to the point of spilling incoherent tears because these people are just so amazing. But even those heavenly moments of crazy-lady love are so augmented by the constant presence of grief that happiness is now a completely different emotion than it once was...
Sometimes I look at my living family and feel so filled with love that I could radiate with it, overwhelmed with joy to the point of spilling incoherent tears because these people are just so amazing. But even those heavenly moments of crazy-lady love are so augmented by the constant presence of grief that happiness is now a completely different emotion than it once was...
It's All in the Details
So it's not like I am trying to make some kind of bartering deal with the Cosmic Infinite Source of the Whole Universe. It's just that I realized that maybe I'm a lot more into a vast variety of details than I ever faced – whether it's a bus coming on time, the temperature outside, or even the subtle qualities of a co-worker or mate.
So it's not like I am trying to make some kind of bartering deal with the Cosmic Infinite Source of the Whole Universe. It's just that I realized that maybe I'm a lot more into a vast variety of details than I ever faced – whether it's a bus coming on time, the temperature outside, or even the subtle qualities of a co-worker or mate.
A Tale of Two Wives
Two women played a prominent role in Korach’s revolt. Their different approaches in dealing with the material reality lead to two opposite outcomes . . .
Two women played a prominent role in Korach’s revolt. Their different approaches in dealing with the material reality lead to two opposite outcomes . . .
Living
Thank You, Helen
So a venerated, old woman said that the Jews should get out of Palestine and go back home to Germany and Poland. And after the negative feedback she scrambled to the terra firma of the two-state-solution mantra. Which was more instructive, if less astonishing...
So a venerated, old woman said that the Jews should get out of Palestine and go back home to Germany and Poland. And after the negative feedback she scrambled to the terra firma of the two-state-solution mantra. Which was more instructive, if less astonishing...
A Fashion Affair
Tonight's attendees are dressed in their finest, in black and white Dior and heels for miles. They say they've come to worship. But are they here to pray to G‑d or have they come to bow to the gods of fashion? Or both?
Tonight's attendees are dressed in their finest, in black and white Dior and heels for miles. They say they've come to worship. But are they here to pray to G‑d or have they come to bow to the gods of fashion? Or both?
Taken By Surprise
If a person is prepared for a challenge before it arises, he will have the tools to deal with it. But how can one deal with a situation before it happens?
If a person is prepared for a challenge before it arises, he will have the tools to deal with it. But how can one deal with a situation before it happens?
How to Avoid Getting Angry With Your Children
When those piercing sobs arouse in us the same feelings of madness and utter helplessness which we experienced as children, it is time for some inner repair work. Take a minute to recall feeling out of control as a child. How did your parents deal with you?
When those piercing sobs arouse in us the same feelings of madness and utter helplessness which we experienced as children, it is time for some inner repair work. Take a minute to recall feeling out of control as a child. How did your parents deal with you?
Chassidic Thought
Who Created G‑d?
The Creator of all boundaries is unbounded by any definition. Otherwise, He too would require a creator.
The Creator of all boundaries is unbounded by any definition. Otherwise, He too would require a creator.
Mitzvahs & Traditions
Kiddush
Shabbat enters with words of wonder poured upon sweet wine. We call it Kiddush, a ritual of words and drink, a magical bridge from the harried weekday to the day of rest.
Shabbat enters with words of wonder poured upon sweet wine. We call it Kiddush, a ritual of words and drink, a magical bridge from the harried weekday to the day of rest.
Better that you not vow, than that you should vow and not fulfill
— Ecclesiastes 5:4
Print Magazine
What Is Alef? (A Point Above, a Point Below)
What is an alef?
A point above, a point below, and a line between.
Whatever we may understand of Him
is but an infinitesimal point above.
The only way we can join with Him
is as an infinitesmal point below.
And what empowers us to become this zero-point below
that resonates with the infinite-point above?
Our awe...
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