Parashat Koráj en Inglés 5786.

KORAJ Summary of Parashat Koraj I 5786 “When ambition disguises itself as spirituality”... Parashat Koraj recounts the rebellion of Koraj (Moshé and Aharón’s cousin), Datán, Abiram, and 250 of his followers. Some of the rebels are swallowed by the earth, others are consumed by a divine fire, and others die as a result of a plague. The portion concludes by describing the gifts that were given to the Cohanim and leviím. On ben Peleth was a follower of Kóraj in the rebellion against Moshé. His name, “On,” means “pain,” because he lived in pain all his days. He was saved thanks to his wife. She convinced him not to become involved in the dispute, telling him that whether Aharón or Kóraj became the Cohen Gadol, he would still remain a talmid. On understood and accepted that “the entire congregation is holy.” Therefore, he did not participate in the rebellion. Wisdom and good counsel prevent us from becoming involved in unnecessary conflicts. The Midrash explains that Kóraj challenged two mitzvot: tzitzit and mezuzá. Kóraj asked Moshé rhetorical questions in order to mock the commandments. First, regarding tzitzit: “Does a complete garment made entirely of sky-blue wool require tzitzit?” Moshé answered that it did. Kóraj replied: “If an entire garment is blue, it does not exempt itself, but four threads do?” Then, regarding mezuzá: “Does a house filled with Torah scrolls require a mezuzá?” Moshé answered that it was still obligated. The Midrash shows that Kóraj was not arguing out of ignorance; he used logic to ridicule the mitzvot and sow doubt. His problem was not the laws, but the authority of Moshé and HaShem.