Parshas Korach – Mefarshim

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.

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