(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 God is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above God’s congregation?”
(4) When Moses heard this, he fell on his face. (5) Then he spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, “Come morning, God will make known who is [God’s] and who is holy by granting direct access; the one whom [God] has chosen will be granted access. (6) Do this: You, Korah and all your band, take fire pans, (7) and tomorrow put fire in them and lay incense on them before God. Then the candidate whom God chooses, he shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!”
(8) Moses said further to Korah, “Hear me, sons of Levi. (9) Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has set you apart from the community of Israel and given you direct access, to perform the duties of God's Mishkan and to minister to the community and serve them? (10) Now that [God] has advanced you and all your fellow Levites with you, do you seek the priesthood too? (11) Truly, it is against God that you and all your company have banded together. For who is Aaron that you should rail against him?”
- Looking at Korach's words above, what does Korach's argument seem to be about?
- Looking at Moses' response to Korach, what does Moses think Korach is really talking about?
Every dispute that is for the sake of Heaven, will in the end endure; But one that is not for the sake of Heaven, will not endure. Which is the controversy that is for the sake of Heaven? Such was the controversy of Hillel and Shammai. And which is the controversy that is not for the sake of Heaven? Such was the controversy of Korah and all his congregation.
- What is the meaning of a dispute "for the sake of Heaven"?
- How does a dispute that is "for the sake of Heaven" differ from one that is not?
- Can you provide examples of controversies or disputes that are considered "for the sake of Heaven"?
- What were the features of the controversy between Korach and his congregation that led to it being considered a dispute "not for the sake of Heaven"?
Rabbi Abba said that Shmuel said: For three years Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel disagreed. These said: The halakha is in accordance with our opinion, and these said: The halakha is in accordance with our opinion. Ultimately, a Divine Voice emerged and proclaimed: Both these and those are the words of the living God. However, the halakha is in accordance with the opinion of Beit Hillel.
- What does it mean when both groups claim that the halakha (Jewish law) is in accordance with their opinion?
- What is the significance of a Divine Voice proclaiming that "both these and those are the words of the living God"?