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The story of Korah's rebellion is a fascinating drama, full of passion and intrigue. Although the Torah
is grudgingly silent regarding the background and details of these events, the aftermath of the rebellion is treated with
surprising detail. The Torah records numerous occasions when Israel failed and subsequently was punished, at which point
the story ends. Not so with the story of Korah lingers on.
After Korah and his followers were destroyed, the people complained repeatedly, bringing upon themselves
disaster after disaster. Let us consider one of the major points of contention Moses' authority.
In response to the challenge that Korah presented to Moses, the earth opened up its mouth to swallow Dathan
and Abiram. Why, then, did the people continue with their verbal assault on Moses and Aaron saying, "You
murdered Yahveh's people." (Numbers 16:41)
The use of the word 'you' in this context indicates that Moses and Aaron were being held personally
responsible for the deaths of the insurgents. Did the people really believe that Moses was acting out of personal vengeance?
Were they totally oblivious to the what they had just witnessed: "Hereby you will know that
Yahveh sent me to perform all these acts, as they were not done of my own mind." Numbers16:28
Remember that most of the casualties occurred during the plague that took place only at this point, and
not during the actual rebellion. However, the people once again turned to Moses, complaining in the wake of the plague:
"Behold, we die, we perish, we are all perishing! Everyone who approaches the sanctuary of Yahveh dies;
have we stopped dying?" Numbers 17:12
Did the people believe that Yahveh killed at random? Were they unaware that Korah and his followers had
committed a grave sin? Why do they continue to complain after seeing the tragic consequences of their initial complaint? Why
don't they learn from their mistakes?
These events address a basic problem raised by Korah that was never explicitly treated. "For
the entire congregation is holy and Yahveh dwells in their midst; why then do you raise yourselves above the congregation
of Yahveh?" Numbers 16:3
Regardless of Korah's motives, the question of equality remains in the Biblical system, which separates
the priests from the rest of the nation.
Let us take a closer look at the events leading to the plague. The people blamed Moses and Aaron for the
death of Korah and his followers. They were convinced by the divine sign, yet they turned to Moses and Aaron: "Was there no
other way to prove your point? Did all these people have to be destroyed? Are we short of orphans and widows?" It was an emotional
outburst, not a rational argument. However, the severity of Yahveh's response seems incomprehensible: "Remove
yourselves from amongst this congregation and I will destroy them in an instant." Numbers 16:45
When Korah went to the sanctuary with his two hundred and fifty followers, he gathered the entire nation
to witness the outcome. Yahveh responded by saying: "Separate yourselves..." Numbers
16:21 Again we find Yahveh's response totally out of proportion with the severity of the infraction. Although in the
end Moses managed to deflect the danger of destruction, we are left to ponder the significance of the threat, i.e. Korah's
attack on the priesthood. He claimed that the entire nation was holy and therefore there was no need for a separate priestly
class and anyone should be able to enter the sanctuary and bring the incense offering.
Although Israel did not challenge Moses' authority, they nonetheless identified with Korah's argument. They
did not understand why they could not fully participate in the sanctuary worship. After all, weren't they a "kingdom of priests?"
(Exodus 19:6) Why should they be considered strangers, who may not enter the temple?
Once Israel accepted Korah's argument and rejected the barrier separating the sacred and the mundane, they
found themselves faced with a new situation. While standing near the Tabernacle, their behavior had to be impeccable, which
it wasn't. Had Moses not pleaded on their behalf, a deadly plague would have devastated the camp. Mourning the death
of Korah and his followers, their reaction, though acceptable under normal situations, was intolerable once the barriers had
collapsed. The presence of the Shekhinah demanded restraint and self control. (Leviticus 10:3)
When the people protested, Moses sent Aaron to stop the spread of the plague. Frustrated and desperate,
the people returned to Moses and said: "Behold, we are all dying." (Numbers 17:12) After the plague, they finally understood
the severity of their situation. They realized that the plague was not a punishment for a specific sin, but a result of the
total breakdown of barriers, which they had brought upon themselves. "Everyone who approaches the sanctuary of Yahveh dies."
(Vs. 13) The people were now ready to appreciate why the division was necessary.
Israel understood that "a holy nation" is a contradiction in terms. Sanctity demands separation, a
departure from the mundane. Man's frailties are incommensurate with holiness. Now the time was ripe to re-introduce the institution
of kehuna, the priesthood. A sanctuary for the entire nation can be established within their midst on one condition: that
there be barriers. The priests serving within the Tabernacle must be separated from the daily tension and strife of life.
The remainder of the nation can continue to lead a normal life, yet the Tabernacle in their midst remains their
focus and direction.
Yahveh's response to the people's second complaint: "You (Aaron) and your children and
your father's house with you shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary and you and your children with you shall bear the iniquity
of your priesthood and to the consecrated vessels and the altar they will not approach and neither they nor you will perish."
Numbers 18:1-3
The children of Israel finally appreciated the institution of the priesthood. They finally understood why
barriers were necessary to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. At this point, the priesthood could be re-established
and the barriers, which were rejected due to Korah's rebellion, were rebuilt with the entire nation's consent.
~ Based on teaching by Rav Yair Kahn ~
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