Parashat Korach

June 27, 2025
1 Tamuz 5785
Parashat Korach
Numbers 16:1 - 18:32

Dear Friends,

We are living in a moment when populist leadership is in vogue. This trend is nothing new. Different styles of leadership come and go; our tradition alerts us to the dangers of certain types of leadership. Even Moses is not immune from overstepping his authority.

In this week’s Torah portion (Numbers 16:1-18:32), we have the story of a full-blown uprising against the leadership of Moses by Korach, his relative, also from the tribe of Levi. Korach accuses Moses with the following words: “You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and the Divine is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above God’s congregation?” (Numbers16:3) It is the message of the populist who wants power for its own sake, even as he pays lip service to the people with his words. He implies that Moses and Aaron are corrupt, and Moses is guilty of nepotism. Korach has appointed himself the champion of the people and presents himself as an inclusive leader when what he is really an autocrat in waiting.

This rebellion would not have been possible prior to the episode with the spies and their failure, leaving the people with the knowledge that they were to wander in the wilderness for another thirty-eight years. Korach and his followers played on the sense of hopelessness that was gripping the people after that episode. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l wrote “populism is the politics of disappointment, resentment and fear.”

Although the way in which Korach and his followers are swallowed up not leavingbehind a trace feels very much like a scene from a superhero movie, we all know that the stakes are real. This is not the way autocrats lose power in our world.

It is Moses who announces how the rebels will die, and it comes to pass as the earth swallows them. However, on the very next day the people rebel against Moses in light of his use of force as a method of conflict resolution, saying, “You have killed the people of Adonai.” (Numbers 17:6)

Our Talmudic sages look at this moment and comment that an argument not for the sake of heaven is an argument undertaken simply for victory. They contrast this with an argument made for the sake of heaven, which is undertaken for the sake of truth.

In essence, the distinction highlights the importance of intention in discussions. Arguments made for the sake of heaven are seen as valuable and constructive, while those made merely for victory are viewed as less meaningful and potentially harmful.

All of this underscores the way Korach believed his truth was the only one with any validity. Once a populist achieves power, they strive to stifle all manner of dissent. This brings us back to the importance and power of the argument made for the sake of heaven. It is part of the bedrock Jewish value that we do not silence dissent. We have all heard the joke “ten Jews, twelve opinions." Behind the joke is that we while need not agree with one another, when the argument is for the sake of heaven, which is undertaken for a greater truth, it would serve us well to listen and hear one another.

Once more this dvar Torah is inspired by teachings of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l. Wishing you all a good summer as we get ready to begin our vacation.
See you on August 8th.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Linda Shriner-Cahn