Korach -Torah Thoughts

Torah Thoughts: Korach

June 7, 8,2013  Sivan 29,30,5773

Hierarchy, Questions of Authority, and Questioning G-D!

When I was a young boy, and my parents asked me to do something that I would rather not do, I asked, “Why?”, like most children do of their parents or an authoritative figure…… Then the answer that we all dreaded from our parents, “Because I/we said so!”   Who was I to accept that, or any other lil’ kid, for that matter?!  …..”But,Why!!!?”  And as a child, we sure did push our folks with the questioning of authority and acceptance.  Again, “but why?” or, “who said so?”  That really was pushing it!  After a few back n Forths, The answer came politely and usually delivered from my mom, “Because G-D said so!” That put a stop to it; I accepted that 100%, with-out question, and it was the end of my power struggle, and questioning authority.  If G-D said so, I accepted it!

This Parsha (Torah Portion) is very parallel to the above.  We see a power struggle and questioning, as Korach, Moses cousin challenges him, as well as challenges Aaron.  Actually there are 4 ‘rebellions’:  1) Korach challenges Aaron, 2) Dathan and Abiram (Brothers) question Moses, 3) The tribal Chiefs against Aaron, and 4) the community at large against that of Moses’ (as well as Aaron) intentions. The chief conspirator was that of Korach.

The parsha begins with korach and leaders of Israel confronting Moses and Aaron,…”You have gone too far, and why do you raise yourselves above the congregation of G-D!?”

Through-out this Parsha (Portion), we see questioning, challenging of power, challenging of belief, and dissention  from the community of Moses and Aaron’s leadership and the ‘gift’ G-D has bestowed upon them. Moses and Aaron are just following G-D’s leadership and instructions, and attempting to carry them out to fruition.  Korach, Datham,Abiram, and the community are questioning them, challenging them, putting blockades up for Moses and Aaron to carry G-D’s wishes and instructions out as wished.

G-D indeed assists Moses and Aaron many times over through-out, and in the end, the authority is granted to Moses as the leader of Israel, and Aaron to his religious leadership and duties of the people, as G-D instructs.

We as humans have such a tendency to question, to challenge, to question and challenge authority, and belief.  In today’s ultra-modern world, there are so many deviations, so many paths, so many tangents, and so many puzzles.  As times change, so do the paths of resistance, but there is one consistency and a true comfort; G-D. Our true belief, our honest love from within our hearts and souls, shall remain within our walk, hand in hand with G-D.

-Amen-