Parshat Korach 5777
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read this week of the rebellion of Korach and his supporters against Moshe and Aharon. The Zohar HaKadosh explains that the rebellion of Korach was a rebellion against Shalom, against peace. While clearly any dispute is antithetical to peace, what is the deeper meaning behind this idea that Korach's argument against Moshe and Aharon was a fight against peace?
Korach begins his argument with the statement (Chapter 16, Pasuk 3), Ki Kol Ha'Eidah Kulam Kedoshim U'Vesocham Hashem U'Madu'a Tisnasu al Kehal Hashem. The entire nation is a holy people, as Rashi explains they all stood at Har Sinai and heard the word of Gd. Why are you, Moshe and Aharon, placing yourselves above all the others?
Moshe responds with the words (Chapter 16, Pasuk 5) Boker V'Yoda Hashem es Asher Lo V'es Hakadosh V'Hikriv Eilav. Moshe tells them to wait until the morning and Hashem will show who the holy one is, i.e. Hashem will show who is chosen to be the Kohen. Then Rashi adds an explanation from the Medrash Tanchuma, just as there is a distinction between the morning and the evening which can't be changed, so too the selection of Aharon can't be changed.
Why is the term Boker used to express the notion of distinctions and things which are set in place and don't change?
The Gemara in Shabbos 25B quotes a pasuk from Eichah (Chapter 3, Pasuk 17), Vatiznach M'Shalom Nafshi Nashisi Tovah. Peace has left my soul, I have forgotten good. Rabbi Avahu darshens the first part of the pasuk and teaches that it is referring to Shabbos candles. The pasuk is saying that when one doesn't have candles in his house on Shabbos, then there is a lacking of peace. As Rashi on the Gemara explains, this is because when it is dark people stumble over each other and it is unpleasant to eat in the dark.
The Maharal expands on this Gemara and teaches the reason for the terms Boker and Erev. The reason the morning is called Boker is because the word Levaker means to examine and check. When there is light one can see clearly and is able to notice the distinctions that exist in the world. The word for evening is Erev whose root means a mixture. In the evening when it is dark, things seem confusing and blend one into the other. One is not able to clearly distinguish between different things.
The Maharal explains the Gemara in Shabbos in the following manner. When there is light and one can see differences then there is peace. Shalom exists when there are proper and clear boundaries in the world. When each person is performing his own distinct function, then we have a society or a community that is functioning properly. But when it's dark and no clear boundaries or tasks to perform, then each person is bumping into the next and we lack Shalom Bayis.
This was the conversation between Korach and Moshe. Korach says to Moshe Ki Kol Ha'Eidah Kulam Kedoshim. Everybody is holy, everybody is the same and there is no reason to choose others above me. This is where he was fundamentally wrong. Just because the community is a holy one who all heard the Torah at Sinai, it doesn't mean they are all the same. No two people are the same nor can they all perform the same role. When this happens there is chaos. This is why Korach made a Machlokes on Shalom. There is only peace when there are clear boundaries. And this is why Moshe responded Boker V'Yoda Hashem es Asher Lo. Let's wait until the morning. For the morning is a time of clarity and of distinctions and this is what you are lacking.There is a Kohen and there is a Levi; Aharon is the Kohen and you are the Levi. Hashem is in charge and He has chosen Aharon as the Kohen you as a Levi. And just as you can't change the fundamental difference between the morning and the evening, of clarity and confusion, you can't change the distinction between yourself and Aharon HaKohen.
Good Shabbos
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