Korach - But Why? BECAUSE, Pure Faith!

 Korach - But Why? Because, Pure Faith

Tammuz 2/3, 5775  June 19/20, 2015

 “Why?”….,this a natural inquiry when we are asked to carry out a task, asked to do a choir as a child or job/duty as an adult, or asked to believe in one’s words and/or thoughts!!! As a child, we all heard, “Because I said so”, or something similar, after whining aloud, “But, Why!!!?”  When we were children, we sure did push our folks and teachers with the questioning of authority and acceptance, and still do question figures of authority to some extent in the adult world!  Again, “but why?, “who said so?, who made you boss?” The gentle, but direct answer seemed so distant, and ‘BECAUSE’ did not seem like the most definitive answer!!!  Yes, listen to your parents, teachers, and bosses definitely, BUT WHY! Okay, I’ll stop, as you get my subtle point!  The definitive answer that I most definitely accepted, and appreciated and more today than when I was a child, “Because G-D said so!” THAT’S  PURE FAITH!!!!

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 dissension from the community of Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership and the ‘true 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. Questioning is healthy, as that’s how we learn, and coupled with acceptance of certain terms, we become a more educated person!!!   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.