We live in challenging and unsettled times. Many of the old orthodoxies about government and the place of democracy in our country are being challenged. The so-called “populist” right argues that our country’s elites have ignored their needs and left them behind and that the political structures of our country are fixed and beyond repair. They seek a strongman, like Donald Trump, who cultivates his own cult of personality, to blow the whole system up and build something better from scratch. The so-called “progressive” left argues that our country’s institutions are structured to perpetuate inequality and must be torn down if we are ever to achieve a truly equal society in which the voices of marginalized people are heard and their needs are met. Meanwhile, much of the middle of the country is silent and Jews find no home in either the populist right or the progressive left. This is true in Europe as well.
In this week’s Torah portion we see the same phenomenon. Korach, a Levite and a member of the priestly elite, challenges Moses and Aaron’s leadership saying, “You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and Adonai is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above Adonai’s congregation?” (Numbers 16:3) This appears to be a call for a more egalitarian political structure among the Israelites. Since all Israel stood at Sinai why should Moses and Aaron enjoy a higher political status than anyone else? Korach, conveniently omits that it was God who chose Moses and Aaron to lead the Israelites to freedom and Moses initially refused this charge. Our Sages of Blessed Memory see Korach, not as a true egalitarian, but as one who seeks power for his own ego gratification, Bartenura (15th C. Italy) in his commentary on Pirkei Avot wrote, [An] argument which is not for the sake of Heaven… as we found in the argument of Korach and his congregation – that their aim and ultimate intent was to achieve honor and power, and the opposite was [achieved],”
This week’s Torah portion offers us a cautionary tale, and perhaps the truest definition of conservatism. When someone challenges the political order, study them well, discern who they are and their real motivations before jumping into common cause with them. Only those who truly have the interest of the community at heart and are humble (like Moses) are worthy of leadership, not egotists, power mongers, and demagogues. This is worth remembering this July 4th holiday weekend.
Korach, Numbers 16:1-18:32; Parashat HaShavua for Shabbat, July 6, 2024
July 5, 2024 by tbhrich • Drashot
We live in challenging and unsettled times. Many of the old orthodoxies about government and the place of democracy in our country are being challenged. The so-called “populist” right argues that our country’s elites have ignored their needs and left them behind and that the political structures of our country are fixed and beyond repair. They seek a strongman, like Donald Trump, who cultivates his own cult of personality, to blow the whole system up and build something better from scratch. The so-called “progressive” left argues that our country’s institutions are structured to perpetuate inequality and must be torn down if we are ever to achieve a truly equal society in which the voices of marginalized people are heard and their needs are met. Meanwhile, much of the middle of the country is silent and Jews find no home in either the populist right or the progressive left. This is true in Europe as well.
In this week’s Torah portion we see the same phenomenon. Korach, a Levite and a member of the priestly elite, challenges Moses and Aaron’s leadership saying, “You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and Adonai is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above Adonai’s congregation?” (Numbers 16:3) This appears to be a call for a more egalitarian political structure among the Israelites. Since all Israel stood at Sinai why should Moses and Aaron enjoy a higher political status than anyone else? Korach, conveniently omits that it was God who chose Moses and Aaron to lead the Israelites to freedom and Moses initially refused this charge. Our Sages of Blessed Memory see Korach, not as a true egalitarian, but as one who seeks power for his own ego gratification, Bartenura (15th C. Italy) in his commentary on Pirkei Avot wrote, [An] argument which is not for the sake of Heaven… as we found in the argument of Korach and his congregation – that their aim and ultimate intent was to achieve honor and power, and the opposite was [achieved],”
This week’s Torah portion offers us a cautionary tale, and perhaps the truest definition of conservatism. When someone challenges the political order, study them well, discern who they are and their real motivations before jumping into common cause with them. Only those who truly have the interest of the community at heart and are humble (like Moses) are worthy of leadership, not egotists, power mongers, and demagogues. This is worth remembering this July 4th holiday weekend.