Pro-Life Torah Korach

This week’s Torah portion, Korach: Numbers 16:1-18:32, features Korach, who incites a rebellion against the will of God to usurp the power and position given to Moses and Aaron. Moses, highly respected and trusted as God’s agent, holds the top leadership spot in the newly emancipated society. Aaron, high priest in charge of ritual sacrifices in the Sanctuary, occupies a spiritually elevated and enviable position. 

Korach believes his birthright and his intense desire for spiritual fulfillment entitle him to occupy the high priest position. He hopes to overturn the new nation’s social and religious hierarchy, convincing his family, neighbors, and many distinguished judges and highly respected men from the Tribe of Reuben to join in a rebellion against Moses’ authority. Korach promises to elevate his followers to priestly status, and vows to create a just and equitably holy society without class distinctions. Discontents who resent the effort of daily mitzvot and troublemakers hoping to cash in on the chaos tag along.

G-d warns Moses of the fatal consequences of Korach’s defiance. Moses pleads with Korach and his followers to cease and desist. The warnings do not dissuade the rebels. The group who covets the priesthood is consumed by fire. The others are swallowed up by an earthquake! Afterwards, the whole community blames Moses and Aaron for causing this tragedy, which results in a plague that kills many more. Aaron intercedes and the plague stops. The portion ends as God mandates that only Aaron’s dynasty is tasked to perform the priestly duties, and the Levites are assigned to help them.  

Korach represents the defiant, self seeking, arrogant person who justifies rebellion of divine supremacy through reason and intellectual argument. His followers epitomize opportunists who seek advancement of their own interests despite the demise of others. We recognize this stratagem with the life issue. Judaism introduced to the world the fundamental truth that all human beings are made in the image of their Creator; that all human life at every stage of development has dignity, purpose, and value; that child sacrifice goes against the will of God and represents an idolatry so egregious as to compel the Almighty to clearly prohibit it.

We all know smart, influential leaders who advance pro-abortion arguments that convince morally compromised, misinformed activists that virtue lies in saving the planet through population control, helping women achieve income equity through unlimited and federally funded abortion access, promoting business success through reliable female hires unencumbered by pregnancy, and saving children from the pain and hardship of poverty, racism, and abuse. Abortion industry propagandists profit in the millions of dollars from the demise of innocent unborn children who undergo painful poisoning, dismemberment, or unmedicated post birth live organ removal for research. Harms done to mothers, fathers, communities, the national interest, and our spiritual integrity go unexpressed.

Jewish tradition often cites Korach’s dispute with Moses to discourage controversy between Jews; however, our sages encouraged us to share our viewpoint with respect, confidence, and for the good of Jewish life. As we inform and educate our abortion advocating Jewish brothers and sisters, we pray HaShem opens up their hearts and minds to a life affirming view that saves Jewish lives and heals Jewish hearts.

Cecily Routman

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