When to Argue - Practical Parshah - Korach

Autoplay Next

When to Argue: Practical Parshah - Korach

The Sages tell us that the argument of Korach in this week's portion was doomed to fail because it was "an argument that was not for the sake of heaven." What is an argument that is for the sake of heaven?

Audio:	Listen to Audio \| Download this MP3
Topics:	Parshah, Debate; Argument, Korach, Korach

By Mendel Kaplan

Rabbi Mendel Kaplan is the Spiritual Leader and Executive Director of Chabad Flamingo in Thornhill, Ontario, serving one of Canada’s most dynamic Jewish communities. He also serves as Chaplain of the York Regional Police Service. He is an active member of Toronto’s Vaad HaRabbanim (Council of Orthodox Rabbis), and a voting member of the COR Kashruth Council of Canada’s executive rabbinical board. Rabbi Kaplan is featured regularly on many local television and radio shows. He is a sought after speaker, with hundreds of lectures on Chabad.org. He and his wife, Faygie, are blessed with eight children. Artistically endowed, the rabbi enjoys drawing, sketching and creating charcoal portraits.

More in this section

49:31
Annulling a Vow
45:00
Not Mentioning the Name of an Idol
View All »

Join the Discussion

Sort By:

NewestOldest

4 Comments

vm June 20, 2014

Thank you Thank you so much, you are simply excellent and I like you very much, always enjoying your lectures. Reply

Tom Seattle June 19, 2014

Korach's argument WAS about heaven, just not in favour of it A very interesting podcast, I like all of Rabbi Kaplan's classes very much.

I think that Korach's argument was indeed about heaven. By questioning Moshe's "function", he is questioning Hashem itself. Believing in Moishe and his teachings is one of the thirteen basic principles of Judaism and a Mitzva, as such it is a good example of how this parshah fits to the theme of the podcast, i.ex. linking a parshah to practical mitzvot.

If you think about it this way, Korach's argument is still being discussed, even if it is a "bad" example. It's an argument about the credibility of Moishe and, ultimately, G-d Himself. Reply

john smith fort lauderdale, fl June 21, 2011

very good i needed this -- not only to better understand what is worth fighting for but IF it is worth fighting for at all. Sometimes I get caught up in the moment just on adrenaline alone.

QUESTION: i always believed that when choosing sides in a political debate it should be referenced to what Israel would do. isn't that the ONLY way of promoting peace and or heaven on earth?

if you were to use some of your analogies when choosing your battles, have you not been fighting for the existence of Israel to exist for thousands of years never having true peace and harmony. Shouldn't we try and stomp out any political thoughts that have plagued Israel since the beginning. Should we not fight with every breath we have to avoid people claiming to think for us or as G-d? Reply

rina north york, ont June 21, 2011

thank you for teaching me. Reply