Power Grab --ATTEMPTED

Korah – Power Grab –ATTEMPTED

Numbers 16:1 through 18:32 --Parsha Korah


In this story we have a power struggle for the glory and honor associated with Leading the Children of Israel. Korah a descendant of Levi, along with Dathan and Abiram descendants of Rueben attempt to take power from Moses and Aaron by force of numbers if not by physical force. Along with Koran are 250 leaders and elders of the tribes of Israel, know to be men of repute.


What seems to be lacking here is a knowledge of Hashem in WHOs service Moses and Aaron employed. Korah is a cousin to Moses and Aaron, of the Levi family which carries much responsibility already, so why an attempted take over?


When Korah and his gang confront Moses, Moses falls down on his face and never fights them (this is not Moses’ battle.) Moses then informs the crowd that Hashem will judge this in the morning. When Moses has finished with this statement, he informs them that “You have gone too far, Sons of Levi!”



This story points out to me that Korah and his followers are not here to worship The L-RD G-D, they are here for themselves, and their glory. If they had any wisdom at all, they would never have attempted this takeover. Hashem chooses and assigns people to jobs and tasks, whether we understand the reasoning or not.


Back to the story, Moses pleads with Hashem not to destroy all of the Children of Israel because of a few bad ones. Hashem relents and in the morning Korah and his fellows are of the same mind set as the previous night, they and all they possess and all who bond with them are swallowed by the earth in a moment. It actually says Numbers 16:43 “They went down alive into Sheol, with all that belonged to them, the earth closed over them and they vanished from the midst of the congregation.” Note: Sheol should be read as HELL, Alive into Sheol was unheard of, but it also means that the normal process is to go there after you die. This I take as one proof of a SOUL that continues after the body is dead and dies later –if it is not righteous.


This is not the end for it seems that when we have our mind and heart set on doing evil we will not sense the danger we are in. Hence, we find: The next day the whole Israelite community railed against Moses and Aaron, saying “You two have brought death upon the Lord’s people!” Moses again pleads with the Lord and sends Aaron with a fire pan with fire from the Alter, into the community to make atonement for the people, thereby saving most from the instant plague from Hashem. 14,700 died in moments from the anger of Hashem represented by the plague.


Torah also points out that this number (14,700)does not include the ones from Korah’s group on the previous day. Hashem does not like rebels and those that mutter against Him.


Many things can be learned in this section, the last I present is: Hashem is the one with the power and the glory. He guards His glory and His name steadfastly. He also guards those who love Him and keep his Laws and Rules by which we can Live!

May you seek Hashem and His Law with all that you are. If you do this, you will be successful.

Shalom,
Yaakov