Growth and Patience – ‘And Korach took’
Growth is a key element of life. Cells duplicate and then independently grow, and an organism further develops. Plants shed fruits within which are seeds that implant into the ground and spawn the next generation. Every one of us continues to be the result of growth. In the case of humanity, growth is not only physical but spiritual. We take in input from all around us and wonder how we fit into the bigger vista.
Korach was on a trajectory of spiritual growth. He looked at his cousin Aharon and realized that, as a descendant of Levi, he too was poised for greater spiritual growth –
כִּ֤י כׇל־הָֽעֵדָה֙ כֻּלָּ֣ם קְדֹשִׁ֔ים
“For all the community are holy, all of them”
For all our group is on a higher spiritual level – we are kedoshim. And, as such, why couldn’t Korach take on the same responsibilities as his cousin?
Our parsha describes how Moshe, following HaShem’s directives, shows Korach that he and his followers were not ready to attain the same spiritual level as Aharon and his sons. Korach and his followers are punished for questioning HaShem, Moshe, and Aharon.
Incredibly, Bnai Yisrael also accuse Moshe and Aharon (and indirectly, HaShem) of actually causing the death of Korach and his supporters. A plague breaks out and kills 14,700 members of Bnai Yisrael. Aharon intervenes with a Kapara (atonement) ritual on behalf of the people, and the plague ceases.
In the next scene in the Torah, HaShem requests that Moshe ask each of the tribes to produce a staff or branch and to have each of the wooden rods placed in front of the Ohel Moed.
Why a branch and not a stone or a bone? It is likely that the branch symbolizes growth, fruit, and legacy. What the choice of the branch from a living tree may teach us is that there is a future for every tribe and, by extension, for every member of the tribe.
The Pasuk/verse in Zechariah, 8:4 indicates that the staff or branch alludes to life:
עֹ֤ד יֵֽשְׁבוּ֙ זְקֵנִ֣ים וּזְקֵנ֔וֹת בִּרְחֹב֖וֹת יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְאִ֧ישׁ מִשְׁעַנְתּ֛וֹ בְּיָד֖וֹ מֵרֹ֥ב יָמִֽים׃
“There shall yet be elderly men and women in the squares of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age (in other words – long life).”
The Torah recounts that by the next morning, the staff of Aharon had blossomed and born almond fruit. What about the rods of the other shvatim/tribes?
Did each of the staffs blossom? According to the Mei HaShiloach (R. Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Ishbitz – 19th century) – each tribe’s staff blossomed overnight. So, each of the staffs reflected biological growth and demonstrated forward progress and future success but each at their own pace and trajectory.
A natural question then is why did the staff of Aharon HaKohen bear fruit? Was Aharon HaKohen on his own growth trajectory? It would seem so.
Korach wanted the portion of someone else (Aharon) and wasn’t satisfied with the portion that he was destined to possess. Ki kol ha-edah kulam kedoshim! The promise of the blossoming branch is that each person has their growth trajectory and their potential and their special Morasha that is unique to them. Looking to have what others have dilutes the value of what you already or will have.
The Sfas Emes (R. Yehuda Aryeh Leib Alter, 19th century) comments “It appears that Korach could have been a partner with Aharon, similar to the partnership of Hillel and Shamai. Just as in heaven there is fire and water, yet Hashem makes peace between them, so too with Bnei Yisrael, who are a vessel/kli for bracha (blessing). The word “kli” (vessel) is an acronym for Kohanim, Leviim, and Yisrael, indicating that each has a specific mission. However, the prerequisite is nullifying themselves to Hashem (meaning to subjugate your desires and to follow what HaShem wants you to do), which brings about the perfection of these opposing forces.”
In the future (symbolized by the blossoming process), HaShem ensures that each person receives their unique portion. Receiving the full blessing takes time and it differs for each person in their life. The tribe of Aharon had already reached a state of Shlaymut/completion through their being Tahor for their Avodas HaMishkan. And thus, Aharon’s staff not only blossoms but bears fruit.
Even though there are tribes that could be described as greater than Levi, for example, Yehuda from which Dovid HaMelech would emerge, the Shevet of Yehuda was still in a state of becoming complete and reaching a similar state of Tahara as had already been achieved by Shevet Levi. But, even within the tribe, different individuals follow different growth curves.
The Sefer Yetzirah shares the insight that there exists a special symbiotic relationship between the Tetragrammaton (4 letter name of G-d) and the 12 tribes. How many ways can one permute the four letters of YHVH (answer: 12). HaShem appears in this world in the permutation of Yud-Hei-Vuv-Hei which is one of the 12 permutations of the 4 letters. Levi had already reached that state of completeness so their permutation of the Godly name aligned with the Name that exists in our physical world. The 11 others, aligning with the other 11 tribes, are still transitioning to their unique state of completeness. All in good time.
Is it a question of being satisfied with your lot in life or to be always cognizant of the road you are on and the challenges that lie ahead?
The Sfas Emes comments: Since Korach and his followers did not originally intend their argument to be L’Shem Shamayim/for the sake of Heaven, they sinned and were lost. This is what is meant by:
וַיִּקַּ֣ח קֹ֔רַח
“and Korach took”
Korach did not argue L’Shem Shamayim but rather for himself. Moshe’s response, “In the morning Hashem will make known what is His,” means that each person should clarify whether their intentions are truly for the sake of Hashem or for selfish reasons. Even though Korach was wise, Koheles warns not to praise oneself with one’s wisdom. True wisdom is knowing and intending for the sake of Hashem.
