Parshat Korach 5781
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week’s parsha the rebellion of Korach and his followers. When Moshe Rabbeinu first addresses Korach’s complaints, he says (Chapter 16, Pasuk 9), Ha’Me’at Mikem Lehavdil Hashem Elokeichem Eschem; Is it not sufficient for you that you have been separated out as Levi’im. Why do you need the Kehunah as well?
Why does the Torah say Ha’Me’at Mikem? The word Mikem means from you. Certainly the pasuk should read Ha’Me’at Lachem, is it not enough for you. What is the significance of the word Mikem, from you, and what is it coming to teach us?
The Sfas Emes teaches that the operative word for Korach is the very first word in the parsha. The parsha begins Vayikach Korach, and Korach took, referring to the people who he took along in his rebellion. Rashi, in one explanation, teaches Kacheim B’Devarim, he talked them into joining his alliance. But the word Vayikach really represents Korach’s interest in taking for his himself. He wanted honor and glory. He didn’t want to represent the people L’Shem Shamayim. He was in it for himself, Vayikach Korach.
Korach is presented in our parsha in contradistinction to Aharon HaKohen, the man whose authority he questioned. When Moshe expresses the idea that he should have no quarrel with Aharon, he says (Chapter 16, Pasuk 11), V’Aharon Mah Hu Ki Salinu Alav. The words V’Aharon Mah Hu when read by themselves represent the humility of Aharon. And Aharon, who is he? He doesn’t hold himself to be anything special. And his service for the people is totally in order to bring a bracha to them and allow himself to be the conduit through which that bracha should be expressed.
Serving the people means to sacrifice one’s self for the betterment of the Clal. And this is regardless of whether the service is as Kohen or Levi. When Moshe Rabbeinu says to Korach Ha’Me’at Mikem, the continuation of the pasuk states, isn’t it sufficient that you were chosen to be Levi’im, La’amod Lifnei Ha’Eidah Lesharsam, to stand before the people and serve them. If you are going to be into the position for your own benefit, then you’re not worthy of even being Levi’im. This is the meaning of Ha’Me’at Mikem, from you; even that which you presently have, the position of being Levi, you are not worthy of.
The Mishnah in Avos says (Chapter 5, Mishnah 10) Sheli Sheli, V’Shelach Sheli, Rasha. One who feels that not only that which is his belongs to him, but even that which belongs to others is his, is an evil person. And we learn from Korach, that not only does he have no rights to that which belongs to others, but he loses his rights over his own possessions as well. Korach was destroyed and lost even that which he had. When we want too much, we end up with nothing. Korach began with Vayikach, the desire to take for himself, and he ended up with Mikem, even that which he had was removed from him. In order to be a leader and represent the people, the attitude needs to be Mah Hu; I am nothing. And this attitude was epitomized by Aharon HaKohen.
Good Shabbos
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