Parshas Korach: Resistance is Futile

Rebellion continues in our Torah portion this week, Korach Bamidbar (Numbers) 16:1-18:32. Korach leads the uprising this time. He suffers from an entitlement mentality, resenting deeply his station in life as a Kehatite Levite. He wants to be a high priest, the highest position in the spiritual hierarchy determined by the Almighty.

Levites occupy a place of respect in this hierarchy. In Egypt, they were exempt from hard physical labor, serving as spiritual leaders. Here they are emancipated from living the life of most Israelites engaged in strenuous manual labor needed to support the physical needs of the people. Levites occupy the next tier up, blessed with the tasks associated with keeping the Tabernacle functioning and secure, and again providing spiritual support to their friends and neighbors. The Levite tribe of Kehatites, of which Korach is a leader, are responsible for caring for the Ark of the Covenant, the table, lamp stand, altars, articles of the sanctuary and the curtain behind which the priests perform the sacred rituals.

The highest ranking in the special social structure of this new spiritual community is the priesthood, a special Levite position filled by Aaron and his descendants, entrusted with the primary role of serving God in the Sanctuary. They wear special clothes, offer the various sacrifices, burn incense twice daily, teach Torah, confer blessings, etc.

Levites don't own land or work a trade. They are dependent on gifts donated by the people for their existence. For example, every farmer gives a tenth of his produce to the local Levite family. The priests also receive food, and beyond that many other valuable donations.

Korah rebels against God himself when he accuses Moses and Aaron of using their leadership roles to subjugate everyone else. The accusation lacks evidentiary proof, but it carries weight. His ambition to displace Aaron as high priest and to socialize the masses according to his own idea of equity and fairness appeal to his family and many establishment leaders of the community like tribal princes and judges who see great benefit to themselves should Korach succeed. Those who see this as an opportunity for legal opinions that lessen what they consider burdensome religious obligations join the resistance. They anticipate allowances and nuances of all sorts that will legalize a return to pagan practices.

The rebellion ends when Korach and his family disappear into an abyss and a fire consumes his followers. Plague kills 14,700 others, ceasing only after Aaron offers up a desperate offering of incense to God, pleading for mercy.

The portion closes with a warning to the Levites to never again allow anyone seeking false authority to get near the levers of religious power.

I feel a sense of Déjà vu. Our current Jewish culture suffers from similar rebellion against God in the form of rabbis claiming false legal authority who advance specious arguments in favor of practices abhorrent to God and in direct opposition to Torah law. Misplaced spiritual ambition and professional aspiration compel a majority of our establishment leaders away from holy pursuits and disseminating aberrant justifications for attitudes and actions that place Jews at risk but that benefit themselves. They convince many others to go down this road.

In our portion, the Almighty acts within a few days. Spiritual time differs from real time, prompting the question, how long do we have before we feel the heat. It seems to many that recent events indicate major consequences are now in play.

Our Haftarah, I Shmuel (I Samuel) 11:14-12:22, features the prophet Samuel, a descendent of one of Korach's sons who did not perish in the abyss. His spiritual leadership role is well accepted; however, the people, including his own children, demand a political figure, a king, be appointed over him to guarantee victory in war. Samuel knows that appointing a king will erode the faith in God that has proven to be their best weapon in war. He agrees to their demands, however, and appoints Saul as the first king.

Samuel's fears were well founded. Idolatry in the form of giving power to heads of state hasn't worked out well in the long run anywhere. Israel, now a politically secular state run by secular ministries, has just abandoned even a titular religious presence as the two chief rabbis leave without succession. This is especially disturbing for us because they did speak for the unborn innocents in Israel in the past.

For the first time in a century, the Holy Land has no chief rabbi

https://religionnews.com/2024/07/02/for-the-first-time-in-a-century-the-holy-land-has-no-chief-rabbi/

Israel – Chief Rabbis: Abortions Delay the Arrival of the Messiah

https://vinnews.com/2009/12/29/israel-chief-rabbis-abortions-delay-the-arrival-of-the-messiah/

Comforting reassurances from Samuel remind us that God will always welcome his children when we return. Even now.

20 And Samuel said to the people, "Fear not. You have done all this evil, but do not turn aside from following the Lord, and you shall serve the Lord with all your heart.

21 And you shall not turn aside, for then (you would go) after vain things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are vain.

22 For the Lord will not forsake His people for His great name's sake; for the Lord has sworn to make you a people for Himself.

23 I also, far be it from me to sin to the Lord in ceasing to pray for you, but I shall instruct you in the good and proper way.

24 Only fear the Lord and you shall serve Him in truth with all your heart, for see the great things which He has dealt with you.

25 But, if you will do wrong, both you and your king will be destroyed.

Cecily Routman

May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and good life upon us and upon all Israel. Amen.