Rosh HaYeshiva, Machon Meir
It says, “Korach took” (Bamidbar 16:1). Rashi explains, “He betook himself to one side with the view of separating himself from the community so that he might raise a protest regarding the priesthood.” This controversy was so severe that our Father Jacob begged for mercy that his name should not be mentioned in the context of the argument, as it says, “Let my name not unite with their meeting” (Bereisheet 49:5).
What caused the controversy were Korach’s envy, lust, and craving for the honor. Korach was envious of the appointment of Elitzafan ben Uziel (Rashi, Bamidbar 16:1).
Our sages, in setting out to delve into the reason for Korach’s envy, introduce Korach’s wife who in her great foolishness compelled Korach to contend with Moshe:
The Talmud says (Sanhedrin 110a), “‘The wisdom of women builds her house (Mishlei 14:1): This refers to the wife of Ohn ben Pelet.” Ohn ben Pelet’s wife saved her husband from the controversy of Korach, and through her wisdom and insight, she distanced the agitators from her home and persuaded her husband that no benefit would spring forth from the controversy.
By contrast, regarding Korach’s wife, the Talmud (Ibid.) quotes from the same verse: “The foolish woman destroys it with her hands.” Korach’s wife, an envious woman who pursued honor and wealth, destroyed her home by propelling it into the controversy.
As is characteristic of contentious people, Korach’s arguments against the leadership of Moses, that “all the people in the community are holy, and G-d is with them. Why are you setting yourselves above G-d’s congregation?” (Bamidbar 16:3), are half-truths. It is true that all of Israel is holy, but Korach does not mention that within Israel there are different levels. There are Kohanim, Leviim and Yisraelim. Whoever blurs the gradations within the aggregate brings about anarchy and total confusion, and acts against the order decreed by G-d. The result is unavoidable. That person’s argument will not prevail, and he and his allies will be punished severely. Right now especially, we must avoid the flames of controversy, which begin with foolish words of envy and pursuit of honor and wealth.
It is the way of a fire that it begins with a small flame and then spreads until it becomes a great conflagration. Precisely in our own generation, one in which materialism and pursuit of honor and wealth have lifted their heads, we must be seventy times as careful to avoid the flames of controversy. We must increase love and faith; respect for our fellow man, humility, and the extent to which we make do with little. After all, what person is truly wealthy? The one who is happy with his lot.
Looking forward to salvation,
With Love of Israel,
Shabbat Shalom.
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