Korach A Lesson To Learn

This week our parsha is Korach, Numbers 16:1-18-32, which bears the name of the man who sought to replace Aharon as leader. Before we point any fingers let us look at ourselves. How many times have we looked with disdain at the role HaShem has put us in, in favor of the role of someone else. Do we look at our spiritual leaders and think we can do the job better. Do we murmur and criticize, do we try to get people to see our side and what is best for us instead of what is best for the entire community? The question we need to be asking ourselves is this, is a "leadership" role more important than our "relationship" with HaShem? Is HaShem asking us to lead, or is He asking each of us to do our part to further His Kingdom? We must search our hearts beloved, because in the end we will see that Korach, Datan, and Aviram were not only rejecting the leadership, they were rejecting the spiritual quest for holiness, in doing so they were rejecting a relationship with HaShem. May it not be with us.

You may wonder how 250 tribal leaders could get caught up in such an uprising? But we see this happening in our midst today. It only takes a few words of frustration or accusation presented in the form of "concern" to get the ball rolling. We all have to choose whose side we are on. Unfortunately when the dust settles we see some have chosen poorly. Korach, Datan, and Aviram had no interest in the issues of the soul, of purity, of holiness, or the ways of HaShem, so we see that their punishment took them back to the dust from which they were created. The 250 tribal leaders whose motives were pure died a death of holy fire consumed before HaShem. Before it is all over another 14,700 will die because of their murmurings. Korach sought to replace Aharon, but in the end all he brought was death. It was Aharon, acting out of love for the people that stood between the dead and the living to stop the plague,in doing so he prevented more death.

HaShem places before us leaders in the form of Rabbis. The Talmud says that it is a mitzvah to attach ones self to a Torah scholar. Our connection to a Rabbi helps us learn the ways of HaShem and in doing so, it brings us to a closer connection with G*D. Korach's motive can be seen as a way of keeping the people from not only following their appointed "Rabbi", but from following HaShem.

Out of all this death and devastation HaShem gives us a sign of hope in the form of the almond tree.The almond tree is the first to blossom in the spring. The Hebrew word for almond is "shaqed", it is derived from a Hebrew verb root that means to be watchful, to be on alert, to never slumber or sleep. HaShem says in Jeremiah 1:11-12, "And the word of HaShem came to me saying,"What do you see Jeremiah?" And I said,"I see a branch of an almond tree." And HaShem said to me,"You have seen well, for I am watching over My Word to do it." So beloved the next time we feel spiritually dead, that our life is not producing any fruit, turn to HaShem, for it is He that empowers us and remember Aharon's rod, and the covenant promises. Remember that HaShem is watching over us, that He never slumbers or sleeps, He is watching to see if our lives reflect His Word, His Torah. May it be so.

May we all be blessed to find and follow a Rabbi whose love for HaShem is a light in the darkness. May our relationship with HaShem blossom as Aharon's rod, ever fresh, ever fragrant.
Shabbat Shalom
Elisheva Amaris Channa Bat Sarah