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Rishon
- Korach and his men confront Moshe and Aaron:
- Korach, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehos, the son of Levi, took with him Dasan, Aviram and On Ben Peles from the tribe of Reuvein and confronted Moshe. They came with a group of 250 leaders of the Jewish people who joined their fight against Moshe. The group confronted Moshe and Aaron with the claim that they made themselves the elite of the Jewish people when in truth all the Jewish people are holy.
- Moshe’s response:
- Moshe heard and fell on his face in reaction of their complaint.
- The offering of Ketores and Hashem choosing the leader: Moshe replied to Korach that by morning Hashem will relate to everyone who in truth is meant to be the leaders of the Jewish people. This will be accomplished by having all the contenders, who desire to be leaders, offer Ketores onto the altar and whoever Hashem chooses, he will be the holy one. Each man is to take a pan filled with fire and Ketores and offer it before Hashem tomorrow.
- Moshe admonishes the Levites: Moshe reproached the tribe of Levi telling them that they should be satisfied with the fact that they were chosen by Hashem to be the representatives of the Jewish people to serve Hashem in the Mishkan. “It is not right that you now step forward and demand to also become Kohanim. Why do you complain against Aaron, what is he that you should protest against him?”
- Moshe summons Dasan and Aviram: Moshe summoned Dasan and Aviram, the accomplices of Korach, to speak with them but they refused to come. They replied, “Moshe took them out of a land of milk and honey to die in the desert and he has no right to rule over us.”
Q&A on Rashi
Q: What does “Korah… took” mean according to Rashi?
A: It means that Korah took himself to one side to dissociate himself from the congregation and contest the appointment of Aaron to the priesthood.
Q: Why does the verse not mention “the son of Jacob” in Korah’s genealogy?
A: Because Jacob prayed not to be mentioned in connection with their quarrel.
Q: What made Korah decide to quarrel with Moshe’s?
A: He envied the chieftainship of Elizaphan the son of Uzziel, whom Moshe’s appointed as chieftain over the sons of Kohath.
Q: What did Korah do to challenge Moshe’s’ authority?
A: He assembled two hundred and fifty men, heads of the Sanhedrin, and dressed them with cloaks made entirely of blue wool to challenge Moshe’s.
Q: Why did Moshe’s fall on his face during Korah’s rebellion?
A: Because this was already their fourth offense, and Moshe’s became disheartened.
Q: What was Moshe’s’ intention in delaying the confrontation until the morning?
A: He hoped that they might retract their opposition.
Q: Why did Korah and his followers take upon themselves to offer the incense despite the warning?
A: Korah was deceived by his vision of great descendants and thought he would be spared.
Q: How did Moshe’s try to conciliate Korah and his followers?
A: He began to speak softly to them but then addressed the entire congregation to prevent others from joining the rebellion.
Q: What service were the Levites drawn near to according to Rashi?
A: They were drawn near to the service of singing on the platform.
Q: What does Rashi say about the rebellion being against the Lord?
A: He explains that the rebellion was not against Moshe’s and Aaron but against the Lord, as they acted as His messengers.
Q: What lesson does Rashi derive from Moshe’s seeking out Dathan and Abiram?
A: One should not persist in a dispute and should seek conciliation with peaceful words.
Q: What did Dathan and Abiram mean by saying “We will not go up”?
A: They implied that they would only have a downfall.
Q: How does Rashi interpret the statement “nor have you given us”?
A: It refers to the unfulfilled promise of bringing them to a land flowing with milk and honey.
Q: What does Rashi say about Moshe’s not taking a donkey from anyone?
A: Moshe’s did not take a donkey from anyone, even when he traveled from Midian to Egypt.
Q: How did Korah entice the tribes to join his rebellion?
A: He went to the tribes and enticed them with words of mockery, claiming he cared for all of them.
Q: What does Rashi say about the severity of dispute?
A: Even nursing babies were lost, showing the severity of dispute.
Q: What does Rashi say about the Lord creating a new thing?
A: It refers to the earth opening its mouth and swallowing Korah and his followers.
Q: What does Rashi say about the cries of those who were swallowed up?
A: The sound that emanated when they were swallowed up caused others to flee.