Korach, a Levi, took it upon himself, together with two hundred and fifty other Israelites to rise up against Moses. They complained that Moses had gone too far; the community was in God’s favor and they wanted to know why Moses elevated himself above all the others. Moses was shocked by their impudence so he devised a test. Each rebel should put fire with incense in a pan and God will chose his holy one. Moses then admonished them for their behavior citing that God selected the Levites for holy service and now
they want to challenge the priests.

The next day God was so infuriated with the Israelites that he threatened to annihilate them all, but again Moses interceded and argued with God for the preservation of the innocent. Then God told Moses to separate the community from the rebels; as soon as Moses completed his words the ground opened wide and swallowed the rebellious leaders together with their households. Then fire went forth from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men offering incense.

Insights into Parashat Korach

Korach, a Levite banded together with two hundred and fifty Israelites to challenge Moses and especially Aaron for the priesthood. Out of their own insecurity and the perils of the wilderness, they thought that their opinions were worthier than God’s. Wouldn’t we all prefer to choose our own beliefs rather than those of an unseen mystery? God became incensed as a result of their audacity, their lack of faith and threatened to destroy the entire community, when Moses, as he had done before, intervened and bargained with God so that He would relent, but not until He destroyed the rebellious cohort.

What seems to be happening is that God is intending to purify the community by ridding them of the impurity of rebelliousness, considered to be a grievous sin. Previously we have seen how laws were legislated to root out impurity in individuals. then clothing, then skins, then even the walls houses and its contents, but now impurity is to be rooted out within that nation if the Israelites. Again the Israelites complained bitterly; again the Lord raged against the people and set a plague upon them. Aaron, the priest was instructed to offer incense as expiation for the people and the plague was contained.

Finally God devises a test to prove who is God’s true representative. Moses is to collect from each tribal chieftain his staff and with his name inscribed on it, and place then in the Tent of Meeting. God will cause the staff of His chosen chief to sprout. The next morning they all found Aaron’s staff sprouted. From where do we obtain our source of authority today?

Rabbinic teachings

Every controversy that is in the name of Heaven will ultimately prove to be of permanent value whereas every controversy that is not in the name of Heaven will ultimately not prove to be so. Which type of controversy was in the name of Heaven? The controversy between Hillel and Shammai. And which was not in the name of Heaven? The controversy of Korah and all his company.

Avoth V, 20

Four types are classified as wicked. The person who threatens to strike his neighbor, even if he does not actually hit him as is is daid (Exodus II, 13) And (Moses) said to the wicked one why do you (threaten to) smite your fellow; he who borrows and does not pay as it is said (Psalms XXXVII, 21) the wicked borroweth and payeth not; he who acts insolently towards his superior as it is said (Proverbs XXI, 29) a wicked man hardeneth his face (i.e. acts impudently); and a quarrelsome person as it is said (Number XVI, 26) Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men.

Tanchuma Korah

• Erev Shavuot, Sunday, June 8 with service at 7:00 PM; services also Monday, June 9 starting 9:15 AM.
• Preschool Summer Camp begins June 16.
• Spirituality Book Club at Barnes & Noble with Rabbi Kripper, originally Wed. June 25 at 7:30 PM, now POSTPONED.

Adat Shalom has received a wonderful gift in the form of an online license to the Encyclopedia Judaica. This is free to all members. Just click the link on the Library... menu bar below.

Want more detail? Check Jill Rook's weekly e-mail for more about these and other upcoming events at Adat Shalom.
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Adat Shalom Pre-school serves Fox Chapel and the adjacent north suburban communities. Our classrooms are bright and spacious with connecting outdoor playground areas. We are proud of our program and the warm, nurturing environment in which our students grow and develop. Our well-rounded curriculum is designed to help our students develop self esteem and age-appropriate skills. The schools's director is Gail Schmitt.

Our pre-school serves approximately sixty-five children, aged 18 months through five. We offer a one-day First Experience Program (18-24 months), two-day two's program, a three-day or four-day three's program, and a five-day Pre-K program. Additionally, we have a one hour Lunch Bunch program for our three and four year olds, and an available enrichment program for our Pre-K students. Both programs are added on to the regular day, which runs from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM for all classes.

Visit the Adat Shalom Library!  Enjoy a quiet break.  Browse the collection of 7,000 items.  Check out books, periodicals, and audio-visual materials.  Look up subjects of interest.  Find what you want on the user-friendly OPAC computer terminal.

The library is open when the building is open. Library Volunteers are present to help you on Sundays (when religious school is open only) from 9:00 am to noon, and always on Mondays from 9:00 am until 12:30 pm.

Enjoy our new feature, Encyclopedia Judaica Online. Just click for it on the menu bar immediately above. When asked for a password, typegoadatshalom  (without the .org) -- all lower case. You will then be shown an on-screen input form. Type in any search word. Note also the options to search only the title, or by keyword, or by whole document. The default is "keyword." Whichever option you choose will make a big difference in the outcome. For example, in a search on "pesach," a title search returns 2 hits, a keyword search returns 6 hits, and a full document search returns 13 hits.

Established in 1995, Adat Shalom is dedicated to making our congregation a focal point of Jewish family and communal life through excellence in clergy and lay leadership, education, programming and spirituality.

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