Rabbi's Corner

Did you watch the two nights of the "first" debates involving ten of the Democratic candidates contending with each other for the nomination to run for President?  I would dare say that both nights were filled with political, theological, legal, and interpersonal disagreements between the candidates.  Some of the issues being debated involved some heated exchanges, even arguments.  The Rabbis of the Talmud called such an exchange between people a "makhlokhet," a separation.  It saddened me to see that often during these exchanges what seemed to missing was even a little respect.  What is interesting to me is that we see the same thing in this week's Torah portion.

In this week's parashah, Parashat Korach, we find such a makhlokhet occurring between Moshe and Korach. Korach, along with Datan and Aviram and On and the B'nei Yisrael, challenges Moshe and Aharon.  We read the following: "And they assembled against Moshe and against Aharon and said: 'Rav Lachem --- You have gone too far!  For the entire congregation - they are all holy and in their midst is HaShem; and why are you aggrandizing yourselves over the assembly of HaShem?"  What is happening here?  Korach and his followers are accusing Moshe and Aharon of being "holier than thou," and they attempt to raise up a challenge to Moshe's leadership.  Moshe responds by saying the same words: "Rav Lachem --- You have gone too far!"  He tells the rebels that they are not challenging him; they are challenging HaShem!  The Torah tells us that the result of this makhlokhet is that Korach and his followers are swallowed up by the earth.  Does this mean that the Torah is telling us that we must never disagree with each other let alone with those who lead us?  The answer to this question is really quite simple.  Korach's mistake was not that he dared to disagree with Moshe.  Korach's mistake centered around the way in which he disagreed with Moshe.

During the time between Pesach and Rosh HaShanah, we read "Pirke Avot" (the Ethics of the Fathers) after mincha services on Shabbat.  We find the following: "A controversy for Heaven's sake will have lasting value.  But a controversy not for Heaven's sake will not endure.  What is an example of a controversy for Heaven's sake?  The debates of Hillel and Shammai.  What is an example of a controversy not for Heaven's sake?  The rebellion of Korach and his associates."  Korach in his attempt to unseat Moshe's leadership did not debate issues or abilities.  Instead, he tried to defame Moshe's character by falsely accusing him of illicit activity.  And it is his transgressions of slander, anger, jealousy, and envy that eventually lead to Korach's death and to the deaths of those who followed him.

The lesson found in this week's parashah is a challenge for anyone who finds themselves in a debate or a disagreement.  Yes, we may lose our temper.  Yes, we may end up saying things we should not have said.  Yes, we may even blow things all out of proportion.  But when and if we do this, we must remember Korach.  While on occasion we may identify with Korach, we must always, always, treat each other with respect, celebrating both our commonalities and our differences.  After all, is this not what the strength of United States of America is?