Parashat Korach
June 16, 2023
Rabbi Yitzchak Zilbiger, High School Tanakh Teacher
“A successful kehilah requires boundaries.”
If you feel you have already heard the quote above, it is either because you were at one time a junior at The Leffell School (doubt it) or you are a member of the Leffell Tanakh department (tell me if you were). This big idea goes hand in hand with the following essential question: How do humans create community? Community — or kehilah — is the leading word, the מִילָה מַנְחָה, in this week’s parashah, Korach, as well as at The Leffell School. I would like to end this school year with four simple thoughts about kehilah and about boundaries.
Controversy and Boundaries
When two people are together, there will be three different opinions, if not more. He thinks this way, she thinks that way. A third person will disagree with both, and it goes on and on. However, what looks to the external eye like an argument can sometimes be described as a dispute for the sake of Heaven. When listening carefully, one can hear that the controversy in the group has one true goal, which is to make the kehilah a better place for all. Hence the dispute, hence the disagreements or even, at times, criticism. The Mishnah in Avot says that this kind of dispute “will in the end, endure.” The end result of at times very fiery discussions will bring all sides to the desired goal.
As with any debate, it must be ensured that the goal is to seek the truth. If an argument turns into a personal conflict between people, if the two sides are not willing to listen to each other, as was the case with Korach, then it is a conflict that is not for the sake of Heaven. This kind of argument will distance people from their true purpose and from each other. We should remember that plurality of opinions expresses a common idea, which is to find out the truth and to create harmony in the kehilah.
When two people are together, there will be three different opinions, if not more. He thinks this way, she thinks that way. A third person will disagree with both, and it goes on and on. However, what looks to the external eye like an argument can sometimes be described as a dispute for the sake of Heaven. When listening carefully, one can hear that the controversy in the group has one true goal, which is to make the kehilah a better place for all. Hence the dispute, hence the disagreements or even, at times, criticism. The Mishnah in Avot says that this kind of dispute “will in the end, endure.” The end result of at times very fiery discussions will bring all sides to the desired goal.
As with any debate, it must be ensured that the goal is to seek the truth. If an argument turns into a personal conflict between people, if the two sides are not willing to listen to each other, as was the case with Korach, then it is a conflict that is not for the sake of Heaven. This kind of argument will distance people from their true purpose and from each other. We should remember that plurality of opinions expresses a common idea, which is to find out the truth and to create harmony in the kehilah.
Equality and Responsibility
“All men are created equal” is no doubt a value that entitles rights as well as obligations to all. In a way, this statement is already blended into Korach’s statement:
כׇל־הָעֵדָה כֻּלָּם קְדֹשִׁים, וּמַדּוּעַ תִּתְנַשְּׂאוּ עַל־קְהַל יְהֹוָה׃ — “For all the community are holy, all of them, why then do you raise yourselves above God’s congregation?”
But what kind of equality did Korach really want? It seems that, according to his philosophy, “one size fits all” and therefore we should not follow one leader, as we are all equal. Nechama Leibowitz points out that Korach sees only the individuals but ignores the kehilah. What Korach and his future “descendants” did not realize is that kehilah is built throughout the course of a long journey. A journey involves a mosaic of individuals, each with their own contributions, small or big, which leads to the success of the entire kehilah. Korach did not see this mosaic of people that create the kehilah, and that is why he did not say: כָּל הָעֵדָה כֻּלָה קְדוֹשָׁה — The entire community is holy.
“All men are created equal” is no doubt a value that entitles rights as well as obligations to all. In a way, this statement is already blended into Korach’s statement:
כׇל־הָעֵדָה כֻּלָּם קְדֹשִׁים, וּמַדּוּעַ תִּתְנַשְּׂאוּ עַל־קְהַל יְהֹוָה׃ — “For all the community are holy, all of them, why then do you raise yourselves above God’s congregation?”
But what kind of equality did Korach really want? It seems that, according to his philosophy, “one size fits all” and therefore we should not follow one leader, as we are all equal. Nechama Leibowitz points out that Korach sees only the individuals but ignores the kehilah. What Korach and his future “descendants” did not realize is that kehilah is built throughout the course of a long journey. A journey involves a mosaic of individuals, each with their own contributions, small or big, which leads to the success of the entire kehilah. Korach did not see this mosaic of people that create the kehilah, and that is why he did not say: כָּל הָעֵדָה כֻּלָה קְדוֹשָׁה — The entire community is holy.
Reality vs. Destination
Korach’s most famous claim was (as mentioned above) “כׇל־הָעֵדָה כֻּלָּם קְדֹשִׁים” — “For all the community are holy.” According to Rashi, Korach’s point was that the entire community heard the voice at Sinai and therefore everybody was elevated to the status of being קְדֹשִׁים, being holy. What Korach forgot or did not want to remember is, when he last heard that word, קְדֹשִׁים — holy. For the modern reader, that word, קְדֹשִׁים — holy, echoes the huge demand from some parashiot earlier, “קְדֹשִׁים תִּהְיוּ” — “You shall be holy.” The difference is obvious. Korach saw a given situation — “For all the community are holy,” where Moshe talked about a goal, a journey, a destination — “You shall be holy.” Korach used only a fact. Moshe talked about a process. The voice at Sinai was a call to a realization of potential for a successful kehilah. Therefore, a set of boundaries are needed, but not only that; a successful kehilah also follows a set of values that translate into daily practice in order to bring holiness in life itself.
Korach’s most famous claim was (as mentioned above) “כׇל־הָעֵדָה כֻּלָּם קְדֹשִׁים” — “For all the community are holy.” According to Rashi, Korach’s point was that the entire community heard the voice at Sinai and therefore everybody was elevated to the status of being קְדֹשִׁים, being holy. What Korach forgot or did not want to remember is, when he last heard that word, קְדֹשִׁים — holy. For the modern reader, that word, קְדֹשִׁים — holy, echoes the huge demand from some parashiot earlier, “קְדֹשִׁים תִּהְיוּ” — “You shall be holy.” The difference is obvious. Korach saw a given situation — “For all the community are holy,” where Moshe talked about a goal, a journey, a destination — “You shall be holy.” Korach used only a fact. Moshe talked about a process. The voice at Sinai was a call to a realization of potential for a successful kehilah. Therefore, a set of boundaries are needed, but not only that; a successful kehilah also follows a set of values that translate into daily practice in order to bring holiness in life itself.
Let’s Keep Going, We Are Not There Yet
In one of her many famous songs, the well-known Israeli singer and songwriter Naomi Shemer z”l wrote the following lines:
a sign that we are not there yet, סימן שעוד לא הגענו
and the horizon is still far, והאופק עוד רחוק
and your heart is still open, וליבך עודו פתוח
and you have to keep going, צריך להמשיך ללכת
and you have to keep walking וצריך להמשיך לצעוד
and the road is still attractive והדרך עוד מושכת
long. ארוכה
In one of her many famous songs, the well-known Israeli singer and songwriter Naomi Shemer z”l wrote the following lines:
a sign that we are not there yet, סימן שעוד לא הגענו
and the horizon is still far, והאופק עוד רחוק
and your heart is still open, וליבך עודו פתוח
and you have to keep going, צריך להמשיך ללכת
and you have to keep walking וצריך להמשיך לצעוד
and the road is still attractive והדרך עוד מושכת
long. ארוכה
A long journey requires good shoes. And even if it is difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, when the heart is open it helps to keep going and overcome challenges along the way. Every journey involves faith and doubt and, at times, conflicts, arguments, and disagreements. Indeed, it is easy to highlight differences and can even be tempting to do so. However, in the long run, dispute for the sake of Heaven is important in order to find what unifies us as a kehilah. This way, our journey will be much safer, and we’ll make it to the “Promised Land” as one kehilah.
Shabbat Shalom. Have a healthy summer.