(1) Now Korah, son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, betook himself, along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—descendants of Reuben— (2) to rise up against Moses, together with two hundred and fifty Israelites, chieftains of the community, chosen in the assembly, men of repute. (3) They combined against Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above the LORD’s congregation?”
Comprehension:
Who is Korach? What is his status in hebrew society, as a Levite?
Who are Datan and Abiram? What is their status in hebrew society, as Israelites?
What is Korach's complaint?
Short Discussion:
Do we agree with his complaint?
§ With regard to the verse: “Wealth is kept for the owner to his detriment” (Ecclesiastes 5:12), Reish Lakish says: This is referring to the wealth of Korah, which was of no use to him. The fact that Korah was wealthy is derived from the verse: “And all the substance that was at their feet” (Deuteronomy 11:6), as Rabbi Elazar says: This is referring to a person’s property, which stands him on his feet. And Rabbi Levi says: The keys alone to Korah’s treasury were a burden requiring three hundred white mules to transport them, and moreover, all the keys [aklidei] and locks were of leather. This conveys the vastness of his wealth.
Comprehension:
What does the verse from Ecclesiastes mean? Why use it here?
Circle Back:
Does Korach's socio-economic status (and the rabbis' use of Ecclesiastes) change our interpretation of his complaint? Do we still agree with him?
(יב) וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח מֹשֶׁ֔ה לִקְרֹ֛א לְדָתָ֥ן וְלַאֲבִירָ֖ם בְּנֵ֣י אֱלִיאָ֑ב וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ לֹ֥א נַעֲלֶֽה׃ (יג) הַמְעַ֗ט כִּ֤י הֶֽעֱלִיתָ֙נוּ֙ מֵאֶ֨רֶץ זָבַ֤ת חָלָב֙ וּדְבַ֔שׁ לַהֲמִיתֵ֖נוּ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר כִּֽי־תִשְׂתָּרֵ֥ר עָלֵ֖ינוּ גַּם־הִשְׂתָּרֵֽר׃ (יד) אַ֡ף לֹ֣א אֶל־אֶ֩רֶץ֩ זָבַ֨ת חָלָ֤ב וּדְבַשׁ֙ הֲבִ֣יאֹתָ֔נוּ וַתִּ֨תֶּן־לָ֔נוּ נַחֲלַ֖ת שָׂדֶ֣ה וָכָ֑רֶם הַעֵינֵ֞י הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָהֵ֛ם תְּנַקֵּ֖ר לֹ֥א נַעֲלֶֽה׃
Comprehension:
What is Moses trying to do here?
What are Dathan and Abiram frustrated about? Are their frustrations the same as Korachs'?
What are Dathan and Abiram doing in verse 27? How is their reaction different from the rest of the Elders?
(א) ויעלו מעל וגו' ודתן ואבירם יצאו וגו'. יודיע הכתוב עוצם רשע הקליפות שאפילו אחר שראו שישראל יראו לנפשם פן תדבקם הרעה אשר תמצא את דתן ואבירם אף על פי כן יצאו נצבים[...]
(1) ויעלו מעל קרח ודתן ואבירם, They lifted themselves up from the residence of Korach, etc. The effrontery of Datan and Aviram in continuing to maintain a defiant posture though they had already been abandoned by their fellow travelers who had withdrawn in fear of being punished together with them[...]
Long Discussion:
Is Korach really the underdog of this story, is he fighting for the common man, or just himself/his wealth?
What is Dathan and Abiram's real crime? Why is it different than Korachs'?