“My Holy Grandfather, Korach”
By Rabbi Menasche Scharf, Finsbury Park Synagogue and
Certification Manager, KLBD
“My holy grandfather, Korach”. This is how one of the great rabbis
referred to Korach of our sidra. Rabbi Naphtoly HaLevi Horowitz
(1760-1827) was the Rabbi of Ropczyce (Poland). He had a large following,
who came from near and far to learn from his wisdom. On one Shabbat, to
the bewilderment of his listeners, he referred to Korach as “my holy
grandfather, Korach”.
Rabbi Naphtoly explained that the Rabbinic Horowitz family -
a family that dates back to medieval times - descends from the prophet Shmuel
(Samuel), who in turn was a descendant of Korach.
He then went on to extol the virtues of Korach as being one
who - just like Moshe Rabbeinu (Moses, both were great-grandsons of
Levi, the third of the twelve tribes) - possessed the qualities required to be
a leader of the Jewish people:
1) Apart from being tall and
handsome, his wisdom and leadership qualities were apparent even when the
Jewish people were still enslaved in Egypt. Pharaoh appointed him as Chancellor
of the Exchequer (Midrash).
“As rich as Korach”
According to another opinion[1],
Korach became extremely wealthy when he found one of the three vaults that were
built by Joseph, who was Pharaoh’s Viceroy.
During the seven years of abundance, Joseph collected the
surplus produce and sold it to the neighbouring countries who were not as
prepared for the years of hunger.
The income from this trade made Egypt so wealthy that they
had to store the money safely in three different places.
2) Jacob blessed Levi: May
he be dispersed amongst the Jewish people to teach them the ways of God.
The tribe of Levi was holding up the torch of Torah for the Jewish people.
This was also the reason why the tribe of Levi did not suffer from the ravages
of slavery, being that they never signed up for it to begin with, when the
first edict to join the workforce was announced.
Therefore, Korach grew up in a sheltered environment,
reaching greatness in Torah to a level that – for most members of the Jewish
people - was out of reach.
Contrast this with his cousin Moshe, who was considered by
the Jewish people as an ‘outsider’: He fled Egypt at age twelve and - after a 40-year
hiatus in the land of Cush -
ended up in Midian, where he married Tziporah, daughter of the local high
priest Jethro.
In the chapter of Pirkei Avot (Ethics of our Fathers)
for this week, we learn that jealousy is one of the three attributes that
causes people to lose their part in the world to come[2].
This alludes to Korach, who - in his burning jealousy of Moshe, brought about his
own destruction[3].
Korach set his sight on becoming leader of the Jewish
people, following a vision that he had that the Jewish people in the holy land would
be led by his successor. This leadership position was really destined for
the prophet Shmuel, some fifteen generations later.
May we all know our position in life and grow to our fullest potential!
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