Kevin Bemel ·
You Can Learn Things from Someone You Despise
Parsha Nugget Korach – Numbers 16:1-18:32
Once, I sat through a class that was so boring the only way I could get through it was to study how the teacher could attain the ultimate level of insipidity. But it proved you can learn something from everyone. Still, I am challenged to do so when I vehemently disagree with someone. This week’s parsha, Korach, shows how to glean wisdom in such a case, or worse, when the view espoused is evil:
The fire-pans of these sinners against their souls, and they will make them hammered-out sheets a covering for the Altar . . . (Numbers/Bamidbar 17:3)
This week’s parsha takes us from the infamy of the spies to the rebellion of Korach and his followers against Moses and Aaron. Unlike the previous complaints about food, water, and other things, Korach, a cousin of Moses and Aaron, sought to depose them and assume their roles. He tried to take advantage of the Israelite’s unhappiness over the decree that they would wander in the wilderness for 40 years. As a result of their rebellion, the 250 insurgents were consumed by fire and the Earth swallowed up their households. A harsh punishment indeed!
Upset by this latest tragedy, the Israelites complain against Moses and Aaron. To chastise the people, G-d brings a plague that He stops only when Moses and Aaron intervene.
Next, the Torah reviews the Priestly duties and the gifts they will receive, then discusses tithing to the Levites and the tithe they will, in turn, give to the Priests.
Because the earth swallowed Korach and the other rebels, you might think that G-d wanted all trace of then eradicated for all time. Not so. For example, Psalm 82 memorializes the sons of Korach for being staunch supporters of Moses.
Stranger are the copper fire pans that remained after those who brought incense in them were consumed by the fire that they thought would burn their offering. G-d commands Elazar, Aaron’s son, to hammer them out as a covering for the Altar. It seems counterintuitive to use articles that were involved in sin to cover the vessel that is used to atone for sin. But this covering would cause the Children of Israel to remember the transgression of the rebels and help keep them on the right path.
Looking more deeply, each metal used in building the Mishkan, the Tabernacle, represents a character trait. Gold designates awe, silver indicates love, and brass, which is made of copper and zinc, represents conviction and strength of character. Indeed Korach and his followers had such profound conviction they were willing to die for their beliefs. Though G-d rejected their ideology:
He appreciated that they believed it so deeply.
Thus Elazar discarded the hot coals that were in the pans, which represent the dissenters’ erroneous beliefs, but sheathed the Altar with the copper fire pans, which sent the message to the Israelites to:
Stand strong in your conviction to G-d.
Here's what you can learn from Korach’s downfall:
- While G-d may hold the third or fourth generation responsible for the sins of their parents, you have no business doing so. Korach’s sons rejected their father’s rebellion and were among the righteous of their generation.
- There is no such thing as someone who has nothing to teach you. If you are willing to look for it, even someone with whom you deeply disagree has a message for you.
- You must not waver in your attachment to G-d, and like brass, stand by your conviction even if the heat from the altar becomes intense.
What have you learned from someone with whom you disagree?
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Every year beginning on Simchas Torah, the cycle of reading the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, ends and begins again. Each Sabbath a portion known as a sedra or parsha is read. Its name comes from the first significant word or two with which this weekly reading begins.
Do you have a question about the Old Testament? Ask it here and I will answer it in a future Parsha Nugget!
