Parashat Korach 5782

by Rabbi Margie Cella

This week’s parashah tells the story of the ill-fated rebellion of Korach, who, accompanied by two hundred fifty men, rose up to challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron. He was also joined by Datan and Aviram, two malcontents who accused the brothers of taking the nation out of the security of Egypt for certain death in the wilderness.

Following Moses’ instructions, Korach and his men brought their incense censers before the Lord; Moses told the rest of the nation to separate themselves from the rebels. The earth opened, swallowing Korach and his men; fire then came forth from God and consumed those who had incense in their fry pans, in much the same way that Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu had died. The following day God sent a plague among the nation, who were now accusing Moses and Aaron of killing the rebels. Aaron took his firepan among the people to make atonement and stop the plague, but not before 14,700 had died.

Finally, God instructed Moses to take twelve rods, and write on them the names of twelve princes, one representing each tribe, placing them before the Tabernacle. Aaron’s rod was designated as the representative of the tribe of Levi. In the morning, the only rod to blossom was Aaron’s; thus, the legitimacy of his priesthood was divinely established.

The haftarah also centers on the theme of leadership. Here we see the prophet Samuel inaugurating Saul as the first king of Israel, following the people’s demand for an earthly monarch. Samuel viewed this as a betrayal of God’s leadership, warning the people that the well-being of the nation was dependent on the allegiance of both them and their king to following the Lord and obeying the commandments. In return for their wholehearted service, Samuel promised that the Lord would never abandon them. 

Just as Korach challenged Moses’ leadership; the people challenged God’s leadership by requesting a king. Both Moses and Samuel are shown to intercede on behalf of the people. Both men answered God’s call with the word hineni: here I am (Exodus 3:4 and 1 Samuel 3:4).

Today, the call to leadership has been extended to us as Jewish women, to serve as rabbis, cantors, educators, and lay leaders. May we, too, have the courage and faithfulness to step forward and say, hineni: here I am.