In today's climate of burgeoning authoritarianism and the shocking and rapid erosion of the right to free speech here in the US, this question arising from our parsha comes to me with great urgency today (Sunday 22 June 2025 | 26 Sivan 5785): Was Korach right? Do we need to be able to question authority?
And at this critical time in history - in human history, in Jewish history - do we need to be able to deeply question the pervasiveness of violence, aggression, and collective punishment in our Holy Torah?
In Parashat Korach, we see a drama of authority being questioned - Moses' and Aaron's authority, as well as an all-too-brief questioning of God's intention to collectively punish a large number of the children of Israel. We will see in this parsha collective punishment by the earth swallowing members of the community, by fire, and by plague. Moses and Aaron are the agents of God's collective punishment, other than one very brief ineffectual protest. As leaders, did they have obligations to the community to question and protect?
Let's start with this: What does the text say that Korach and others say and do? I am starting with the pshat / surface meaning. Are there alternative translations? Can we re-frame our customary manner of reading this parsha and derive a contemporary and beneficial understanding?
(א) וַיִּקַּ֣ח קֹ֔רַח בֶּן־יִצְהָ֥ר בֶּן־קְהָ֖ת בֶּן־לֵוִ֑י וְדָתָ֨ן וַאֲבִירָ֜ם בְּנֵ֧י אֱלִיאָ֛ב וְא֥וֹן בֶּן־פֶּ֖לֶת בְּנֵ֥י רְאוּבֵֽן׃ (ב) וַיָּקֻ֙מוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י מֹשֶׁ֔ה וַאֲנָשִׁ֥ים מִבְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים וּמָאתָ֑יִם נְשִׂיאֵ֥י עֵדָ֛ה קְרִאֵ֥י מוֹעֵ֖ד אַנְשֵׁי־שֵֽׁם׃ (ג) וַיִּֽקָּהֲל֞וּ עַל־מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְעַֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֲלֵהֶם֮ רַב־לָכֶם֒ כִּ֤י כׇל־הָֽעֵדָה֙ כֻּלָּ֣ם קְדֹשִׁ֔ים וּבְתוֹכָ֖ם ה׳ וּמַדּ֥וּעַ תִּֽתְנַשְּׂא֖וּ עַל־קְהַ֥ל ה׳׃
(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 ה׳ is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above ה׳’s congregation?”
The above is the JPS translation.
What did Korach take? This phrase is ambiguous and this very ambiguity invites us to read ourselves into this text and to take a position, ourselves, for what we think this could mean
"Korach took..." this one word - "took" - has been the basis of considerable commentary, often in the vein of Korach promoting dissension:
For example, Rashi on this verse:
(ב)ויקח קרח. לָקַח אֶת עַצְמוֹ לְצַד אֶחָד לִהְיוֹת נֶחֱלָק מִתּוֹךְ הָעֵדָה לְעוֹרֵר עַל הַכְּהֻנָּה, וְזֶהוּ שֶׁתִּרְגֵם אֻנְקְלוֹס "וְאִתְפְּלֵג" — נֶחֱלַק מִשְּׁאָר הָעֵדָה לְהַחֲזִיק בְּמַחֲלֹקֶת, וְכֵן "מַה יִּקָּחֲךָ לִבֶּךָ" (איוב ט"ו) — לוֹקֵחַ אוֹתְךָ לְהַפְלִיגְךָ מִשְּׁאָר בְּנֵי אָדָם. דָּ"אַ: ויקח קרח, מָשַׁךְ רָאשֵׁי סַנְהֶדְרָאוֹת שֶׁבָּהֶם בִּדְבָרִים, כְּמוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "קַח אֶת אַהֲרֹן" (ויקרא ח'), "קְחוּ עִמָּכֶם דְּבָרִים" (הושע י"ד):
(2) ויקח קרח lit., AND KORAH TOOK — He betook himself on one side with the view of separating himself from out of the community so that he might raise a protest regarding the priesthood to which Moses had appointed his brother. This is what Onkelos means when he renders it by ואתפלג — “he separated himself” from the rest of the community in order to maintain dissension. Similar is, (Job 15:12) “Why doth thy heart take thee aside (יקחך)”, meaning, it takes you aside to separate you from other people (Midrash Tanchuma, Korach 2). — Another explanation of ויקח קרח is: he attracted (won over) the chiefs of the Sanhedrin amongst them (the people) by fine words. The word is used here in a figurative sense just as in. (Leviticus 8:2) “Take (קח) Aaron”; (Hosea 14:3) “Take (קחו) words with you” (Midrash Tanchuma, Korach 1).
Another vein of commentary on this verse elaborates on Korach "taking" but not "giving", comparing him to Moses.
Today we need to take the space to consider alternate translations: Korach took a stand, and - rather than "to rise up" (verse 2) - they were standing up in the presence of... in front of... and (verse 3) rather than "combining against Moses and Aaron - וַיִּֽקָּהֲל֞וּ עַל־מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְעַֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן - we could reach this as "they gathered themselves to face Moses and to face Aaron".
In other words: can we read these verses through a lens that promotes the possibility of advocacy, genuine questioning that arises from a place of integrity, questioning that aims to promote harmony and connection, rather than iterating and reiterating, with bellicose translations, the message that strife and conflict are inevitable?
Korach question, a simple and grave question, is a question which seems to require an answer, in the setting of a collective that is gestating, developing, growing. The question: Since all of us are holy to God, why do you set yourselves above the community?
וַיִּֽקָּהֲל֞וּ עַל־מֹשֶׁ֣ה וְעַֽל־אַהֲרֹ֗ן וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֲלֵהֶם֮ רַב־לָכֶם֒ כִּ֤י כׇל־הָֽעֵדָה֙ כֻּלָּ֣ם קְדֹשִׁ֔ים וּבְתוֹכָ֖ם ה׳ וּמַדּ֥וּעַ תִּֽתְנַשְּׂא֖וּ עַל־קְהַ֥ל ה׳׃
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 ה׳ is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above ה׳’s congregation?”
They are grappling with the lived experience of hierarchies... including, perhaps, fundamentally, grappling with accepting and "living in" the hierarchy of God above, humans below.
Notably, Moses' response to Korach states that / accuses that Korach and "his people's" position arises from their envy of Aaron and their desire to be priests:
(ט) הַמְעַ֣ט מִכֶּ֗ם כִּֽי־הִבְדִּיל֩ אֱלֹקֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵעֲדַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לְהַקְרִ֥יב אֶתְכֶ֖ם אֵלָ֑יו לַעֲבֹ֗ד אֶת־עֲבֹדַת֙ מִשְׁכַּ֣ן ה׳ וְלַעֲמֹ֛ד לִפְנֵ֥י הָעֵדָ֖ה לְשָׁרְתָֽם׃ (י) וַיַּקְרֵב֙ אֹֽתְךָ֔ וְאֶת־כׇּל־אַחֶ֥יךָ בְנֵי־לֵוִ֖י אִתָּ֑ךְ וּבִקַּשְׁתֶּ֖ם גַּם־כְּהֻנָּֽה׃ (יא) לָכֵ֗ן אַתָּה֙ וְכׇל־עֲדָ֣תְךָ֔ הַנֹּעָדִ֖ים עַל־ה׳ וְאַהֲרֹ֣ן מַה־ה֔וּא כִּ֥י (תלונו) [תַלִּ֖ינוּ] עָלָֽיו׃
(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 ה׳’s Tabernacle 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 ה׳ that you and all your company have banded together. For who is Aaron that you should rail against him?”
Has Moses made an assumption about the question that Korach and companions brought? Certainly rabbinic Judaism adopted this view (abundantly represented in the Talmud) that Korach was envious of Aaron and had envious designs on Aaron and his descendants' authority and access to power.
We soon read in this parsha that Korach and all of his people were swallowed by the earth or consumed by fire. Erased.
The psychology of Carl Jung, among its many valuable contributions to the understanding of humans beings individually and collectively, teaches us that the shadow - negative elements of the organism - cannot be simply extruded or - as is the case in Parashat Korach - buried underground. Psychological elements of both individuals and collectives optimally must be integrated into the entirety of the organism. It does not work simply to bury, or repress.
As a Jungian psychoanalyst as well as a rabbi, I am familiar with the psychological fact that "shadow" material - that which seems negative or unwanted in our psyche - cannot simply be extruded or repressed. For optimal psychospiritual health, it is necessary to encounter the shadow, and engage with it, in order for it to be transformed.
In fact, there is an impressive residue of Korach's legacy in Tanakh: there are eleven Psalms that are attributed to "the sons of Korach": Psalms 42, 44-49, 84, 85, 87, and 88. (For your convenience, these Psalms are attached at the end of this Sefaria sheet; exploring them in depth is beyond the scope of my intention in this Sefaria sheet.)
I will also call attention to, and question, the occurrence of collective punishment in this parsha: "all Korah’s people and all their possessions" are swallowed whole by the earth - not only the male leaders but also all of their families, children, everyone and everything in their households. Is this not collective punishment? And not only that, collective punishment that occurs within the community, against community members?
Moses and Aaron had offered a protest to God about God's stated intention to destroy all of these humans:
(כא) הִבָּ֣דְל֔וּ מִתּ֖וֹךְ הָעֵדָ֣ה הַזֹּ֑את וַאֲכַלֶּ֥ה אֹתָ֖ם כְּרָֽגַע׃(כב) וַיִּפְּל֤וּ עַל־פְּנֵיהֶם֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ אֵ֕ל אֱלֹקֵ֥י הָרוּחֹ֖ת לְכׇל־בָּשָׂ֑ר הָאִ֤ישׁ אֶחָד֙ יֶחֱטָ֔א וְעַ֥ל כׇּל־הָעֵדָ֖ה תִּקְצֹֽף׃ {ס}
(21) “Stand back from this community that I may annihilate them in an instant!”(22) But they fell on their faces and said, “O God, Source of the breath of all flesh! When one member sins, will You be wrathful with the whole community?”
This brief protest is ineffective, and immediately we read:
(לב) וַתִּפְתַּ֤ח הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ אֶת־פִּ֔יהָ וַתִּבְלַ֥ע אֹתָ֖ם וְאֶת־בָּתֵּיהֶ֑ם וְאֵ֤ת כׇּל־הָאָדָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְקֹ֔רַח וְאֵ֖ת כׇּל־הָרְכֽוּשׁ׃(לג) וַיֵּ֨רְד֜וּ הֵ֣ם וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר לָהֶ֛ם חַיִּ֖ים שְׁאֹ֑לָה וַתְּכַ֤ס עֲלֵיהֶם֙ הָאָ֔רֶץ וַיֹּאבְד֖וּ מִתּ֥וֹךְ הַקָּהָֽל׃
(32) and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all Korah’s people and all their possessions.(33) They went down alive into Sheol, with all that belonged to them; the earth closed over them and they vanished from the midst of the congregation.
(יד) וַיִּהְי֗וּ הַמֵּתִים֙ בַּמַּגֵּפָ֔ה אַרְבָּעָ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר אֶ֖לֶף וּשְׁבַ֣ע מֵא֑וֹת מִלְּבַ֥ד הַמֵּתִ֖ים עַל־דְּבַר־קֹֽרַח׃
(14) Those who died of the plague came to fourteen thousand and seven hundred, aside from those who died on account of Korah.
Are these not examples of collective punishment?
This episode - including Moses' and Aaron's brief protest - reminds us of Abraham's argument with God in Parashat Vayera:
Please see my commentary on Vayera from earlier this year,
What are our obligations to question, and to protest? At this moment in history when collective punishment is being carried out daily in Gaza and the West Bank in the name of the State of Israel and by extension in the name of Jews everywhere; and when arguably, collective punishment is beginning to occur in the USA (with respect to the current administration's immigration and deportation actions) - it is crucial for us as thinking humans who have understandings of morals and ethics... it is imperative for each of us to search our minds and our hearts, our understanding of justice, and to take a stand, to arrive at an ethical understanding of collective punishment, as well as to arrive at a stance about free speech and questioning authority.
It is imperative for each of us to take the intellectual and moral space to think things through for ourselves and to ask profound and basic questions such as:
וּמַדּ֥וּעַ תִּֽתְנַשְּׂא֖וּ עַל־קְהַ֥ל ה׳?
"why do you set yourselves about this holy community?"
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Addendum: here are the 11 psalms written to the sons of Korach. Perhaps we can find elements in these psalms of the valuable parts of the "shadow" that were extruded in Parashat Korach.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ מַשְׂכִּ֥יל לִבְנֵי־קֹֽרַח׃ (ב) כְּאַיָּ֗ל תַּעֲרֹ֥ג עַל־אֲפִֽיקֵי־מָ֑יִם כֵּ֤ן נַפְשִׁ֨י תַעֲרֹ֖ג אֵלֶ֣יךָ אֱלֹקִֽים׃ (ג) צָמְאָ֬ה נַפְשִׁ֨י ׀ לֵאלֹקִים֮ לְאֵ֢ל חָ֥֫י מָתַ֥י אָב֑וֹא וְ֝אֵרָאֶ֗ה פְּנֵ֣י אֱלֹקִֽים׃ (ד) הָֽיְתָה־לִּ֬י דִמְעָתִ֣י לֶ֭חֶם יוֹמָ֣ם וָלָ֑יְלָה בֶּאֱמֹ֥ר אֵלַ֥י כׇּל־הַ֝יּ֗וֹם אַיֵּ֥ה אֱלֹקֶֽיךָ׃ (ה) אֵ֤לֶּה אֶזְכְּרָ֨ה ׀ וְאֶשְׁפְּכָ֬ה עָלַ֨י ׀ נַפְשִׁ֗י כִּ֤י אֶעֱבֹ֨ר ׀ בַּסָּךְ֮ אֶדַּדֵּ֗ם עַד־בֵּ֥ית־אֱלֹ֫קִ֥ים בְּקוֹל־רִנָּ֥ה וְתוֹדָ֗ה הָמ֥וֹן חוֹגֵֽג׃ (ו) מַה־תִּשְׁתּ֬וֹחֲחִ֨י ׀ נַפְשִׁי֮ וַתֶּהֱמִ֢י עָ֫לָ֥י הוֹחִ֣לִי לֵ֭אלֹקִים כִּי־ע֥וֹד אוֹדֶ֗נּוּ יְשׁוּע֥וֹת פָּנָֽיו׃ (ז) אֱֽלֹקַ֗י עָלַי֮ נַפְשִׁ֢י תִשְׁתּ֫וֹחָ֥ח עַל־כֵּ֗ן אֶ֭זְכׇּרְךָ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ יַרְדֵּ֑ן וְ֝חֶרְמוֹנִ֗ים מֵהַ֥ר מִצְעָֽר׃ (ח) תְּהוֹם־אֶל־תְּה֣וֹם ק֭וֹרֵא לְק֣וֹל צִנּוֹרֶ֑יךָ כׇּֽל־מִשְׁבָּרֶ֥יךָ וְ֝גַלֶּ֗יךָ עָלַ֥י עָבָֽרוּ׃ (ט) יוֹמָ֤ם ׀ יְצַוֶּ֬ה ה׳ ׀ חַסְדּ֗וֹ וּ֭בַלַּיְלָה שִׁירֹ֣ה עִמִּ֑י תְּ֝פִלָּ֗ה לְאֵ֣ל חַיָּֽי׃ (י) אוֹמְרָ֤ה ׀ לְאֵ֥ל סַלְעִי֮ לָמָ֢ה שְׁכַ֫חְתָּ֥נִי לָֽמָּה־קֹדֵ֥ר אֵלֵ֗ךְ בְּלַ֣חַץ אוֹיֵֽב׃ (יא) בְּרֶ֤צַח ׀ בְּֽעַצְמוֹתַ֗י חֵרְפ֥וּנִי צוֹרְרָ֑י בְּאׇמְרָ֥ם אֵלַ֥י כׇּל־הַ֝יּ֗וֹם אַיֵּ֥ה אֱלֹקֶֽיךָ׃ (יב) מַה־תִּשְׁתּ֬וֹחֲחִ֨י ׀ נַפְשִׁי֮ וּֽמַה־תֶּהֱמִ֢י עָ֫לָ֥י הוֹחִ֣ילִי לֵ֭אלֹקִים כִּי־ע֣וֹד אוֹדֶ֑נּוּ יְשׁוּעֹ֥ת פָּ֝נַ֗י וֵאלֹקָֽי׃ {פ}
(1) For the leader. A maskil of the Korahites. (2) Like a hind crying for water, my soul cries for You, O God; (3) my soul thirsts for God, the living God; O when will I come to appear before God! (4) My tears have been my food day and night; I am ever taunted with, “Where is your God?” (5) When I think of this, I pour out my soul: how I walked with the crowd, moved with them, the festive throng, to the House of God with joyous shouts of praise. (6) Why so downcast, my soul, why disquieted within me? Have hope in God; I will yet praise Him for His saving presence. (7) O my God, my soul is downcast; therefore I think of You in this land of Jordan and Hermon, in Mount Mizar, (8) where deep calls to deep in the roar of Your cataracts; all Your breakers and billows have swept over me. (9) By day may the LORD vouchsafe His faithful care, so that at night a song to Him may be with me, a prayer to the God of my life. (10) I say to God, my rock, “Why have You forgotten me, why must I walk in gloom, oppressed by my enemy?” (11) Crushing my bones, my foes revile me, taunting me always with, “Where is your God?” (12) Why so downcast, my soul, why disquieted within me? Have hope in God; I will yet praise Him, my ever-present help, my God.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּ֬חַ ׀ לִבְנֵי־קֹ֬רַח מַשְׂכִּֽיל׃ (ב) אֱלֹקִ֤ים ׀ בְּאׇזְנֵ֬ינוּ שָׁמַ֗עְנוּ אֲבוֹתֵ֥ינוּ סִפְּרוּ־לָ֑נוּ פֹּ֥עַל פָּעַ֥לְתָּ בִ֝ימֵיהֶ֗ם בִּ֣ימֵי קֶֽדֶם׃ (ג) אַתָּ֤ה ׀ יָדְךָ֡ גּוֹיִ֣ם ה֭וֹרַשְׁתָּ וַתִּטָּעֵ֑ם תָּרַ֥ע לְ֝אֻמִּ֗ים וַֽתְּשַׁלְּחֵֽם׃ (ד) כִּ֤י לֹ֪א בְחַרְבָּ֡ם יָ֥רְשׁוּ אָ֗רֶץ וּזְרוֹעָם֮ לֹא־הוֹשִׁ֢יעָ֫ה לָּ֥מוֹ כִּֽי־יְמִינְךָ֣ וּ֭זְרוֹעֲךָ וְא֥וֹר פָּנֶ֗יךָ כִּ֣י רְצִיתָֽם׃ (ה) אַתָּה־ה֣וּא מַלְכִּ֣י אֱלֹקִ֑ים צַ֝וֵּ֗ה יְשׁוּע֥וֹת יַעֲקֹֽב׃ (ו) בְּ֭ךָ צָרֵ֣ינוּ נְנַגֵּ֑חַ בְּ֝שִׁמְךָ֗ נָב֥וּס קָמֵֽינוּ׃ (ז) כִּ֤י לֹ֣א בְקַשְׁתִּ֣י אֶבְטָ֑ח וְ֝חַרְבִּ֗י לֹ֣א תוֹשִׁיעֵֽנִי׃ (ח) כִּ֣י ה֭וֹשַׁעְתָּנוּ מִצָּרֵ֑ינוּ וּמְשַׂנְאֵ֥ינוּ הֱבִישֽׁוֹתָ׃ (ט) בֵּ֭אלֹקִים הִלַּ֣לְנוּ כׇל־הַיּ֑וֹם וְשִׁמְךָ֓ ׀ לְעוֹלָ֖ם נוֹדֶ֣ה סֶֽלָה׃ (י) אַף־זָ֭נַחְתָּ וַתַּכְלִימֵ֑נוּ וְלֹא־תֵ֝צֵ֗א בְּצִבְאוֹתֵֽינוּ׃ (יא) תְּשִׁיבֵ֣נוּ אָ֭חוֹר מִנִּי־צָ֑ר וּ֝מְשַׂנְאֵ֗ינוּ שָׁ֣סוּ לָֽמוֹ׃ (יב) תִּ֭תְּנֵנוּ כְּצֹ֣אן מַאֲכָ֑ל וּ֝בַגּוֹיִ֗ם זֵרִיתָֽנוּ׃ (יג) תִּמְכֹּֽר־עַמְּךָ֥ בְלֹא־ה֑וֹן וְלֹֽא־רִ֝בִּ֗יתָ בִּמְחִירֵיהֶֽם׃ (יד) תְּשִׂימֵ֣נוּ חֶ֭רְפָּה לִשְׁכֵנֵ֑ינוּ לַ֥עַג וָ֝קֶ֗לֶס לִסְבִיבוֹתֵֽינוּ׃ (טו) תְּשִׂימֵ֣נוּ מָ֭שָׁל בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם מְנֽוֹד־רֹ֝֗אשׁ בַּלְאֻמִּֽים׃ (טז) כׇּל־הַ֭יּוֹם כְּלִמָּתִ֣י נֶגְדִּ֑י וּבֹ֖שֶׁת פָּנַ֣י כִּסָּֽתְנִי׃ (יז) מִ֭קּוֹל מְחָרֵ֣ף וּמְגַדֵּ֑ף מִפְּנֵ֥י א֝וֹיֵ֗ב וּמִתְנַקֵּֽם׃ (יח) כׇּל־זֹ֣את בָּ֭אַתְנוּ וְלֹ֣א שְׁכַחֲנ֑וּךָ וְלֹֽא־שִׁ֝קַּ֗רְנוּ בִּבְרִיתֶֽךָ׃ (יט) לֹא־נָס֣וֹג אָח֣וֹר לִבֵּ֑נוּ וַתֵּ֥ט אֲ֝שֻׁרֵ֗ינוּ מִנִּ֥י אׇרְחֶֽךָ׃ (כ) כִּ֣י דִ֭כִּיתָנוּ בִּמְק֣וֹם תַּנִּ֑ים וַתְּכַ֖ס עָלֵ֣ינוּ בְצַלְמָֽוֶת׃ (כא) אִם־שָׁ֭כַחְנוּ שֵׁ֣ם אֱלֹקֵ֑ינוּ וַנִּפְרֹ֥שׂ כַּ֝פֵּ֗ינוּ לְאֵ֣ל זָֽר׃ (כב) הֲלֹ֣א אֱ֭לֹקִים יַחֲקׇר־זֹ֑את כִּי־ה֥וּא יֹ֝דֵ֗עַ תַּעֲלֻמ֥וֹת לֵֽב׃ (כג) כִּֽי־עָ֭לֶיךָ הֹרַ֣גְנוּ כׇל־הַיּ֑וֹם נֶ֝חְשַׁ֗בְנוּ כְּצֹ֣אן טִבְחָֽה׃ (כד) ע֤וּרָה ׀ לָ֖מָּה תִישַׁ֥ן ׀ אדושם הָ֝קִ֗יצָה אַל־תִּזְנַ֥ח לָנֶֽצַח׃ (כה) לָֽמָּה־פָנֶ֥יךָ תַסְתִּ֑יר תִּשְׁכַּ֖ח עׇנְיֵ֣נוּ וְֽלַחֲצֵֽנוּ׃ (כו) כִּ֤י שָׁ֣חָה לֶעָפָ֣ר נַפְשֵׁ֑נוּ דָּבְקָ֖ה לָאָ֣רֶץ בִּטְנֵֽנוּ׃ (כז) ק֭וּמָֽה עֶזְרָ֣תָה לָּ֑נוּ וּ֝פְדֵ֗נוּ לְמַ֣עַן חַסְדֶּֽךָ׃ {פ}
(1) For the leader. Of the Korahites. A maskil. (2) We have heard, O God, our fathers have told us the deeds You performed in their time, in days of old. (3) With Your hand You planted them, displacing nations; You brought misfortune on peoples, and drove them out. (4) It was not by their sword that they took the land, their arm did not give them victory, but Your right hand, Your arm, and Your goodwill, for You favored them. (5) You are my king, O God; decree victories for Jacob! (6) Through You we gore our foes; by Your name we trample our adversaries; (7) I do not trust in my bow; it is not my sword that gives me victory; (8) You give us victory over our foes; You thwart those who hate us. (9) In God we glory at all times, and praise Your name unceasingly. Selah. (10) Yet You have rejected and disgraced us; You do not go with our armies. (11) You make us retreat before our foe; our enemies plunder us at will. (12) You let them devour us like sheep; You disperse us among the nations. (13) You sell Your people for no fortune, You set no high price on them. (14) You make us the butt of our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us. (15) You make us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. (16) I am always aware of my disgrace; I am wholly covered with shame (17) at the sound of taunting revilers, in the presence of the vengeful foe. (18) All this has come upon us, yet we have not forgotten You, or been false to Your covenant. (19) Our hearts have not gone astray, nor have our feet swerved from Your path, (20) though You cast us, crushed, to where the sea monster is, and covered us over with deepest darkness. (21) If we forgot the name of our God and spread forth our hands to a foreign god, (22) God would surely search it out, for He knows the secrets of the heart. (23) It is for Your sake that we are slain all day long, that we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. (24) Rouse Yourself; why do You sleep, O Lord? Awaken, do not reject us forever! (25) Why do You hide Your face, ignoring our affliction and distress? (26) We lie prostrate in the dust; our body clings to the ground. (27) Arise and help us, redeem us, as befits Your faithfulness.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּ֣חַ עַל־שֹׁ֭שַׁנִּים לִבְנֵי־קֹ֑רַח מַ֝שְׂכִּ֗יל שִׁ֣יר יְדִידֹֽת׃ (ב) רָ֘חַ֤שׁ לִבִּ֨י ׀ דָּ֘בָ֤ר ט֗וֹב אֹמֵ֣ר אָ֭נִי מַעֲשַׂ֣י לְמֶ֑לֶךְ לְ֝שׁוֹנִ֗י עֵ֤ט ׀ סוֹפֵ֬ר מָהִֽיר׃ (ג) יׇפְיָפִ֡יתָ מִבְּנֵ֬י אָדָ֗ם ה֣וּצַק חֵ֭ן בְּשִׂפְתוֹתֶ֑יךָ עַל־כֵּ֤ן בֵּרַכְךָ֖ אֱלֹקִ֣ים לְעוֹלָֽם׃ (ד) חֲגֽוֹר־חַרְבְּךָ֣ עַל־יָרֵ֣ךְ גִּבּ֑וֹר ה֝וֹדְךָ֗ וַהֲדָרֶֽךָ׃ (ה) וַהֲדָ֬רְךָ֨ ׀ צְלַ֬ח רְכַ֗ב עַֽל־דְּבַר־אֱ֭מֶת וְעַנְוָה־צֶ֑דֶק וְתוֹרְךָ֖ נוֹרָא֣וֹת יְמִינֶֽךָ׃ (ו) חִצֶּ֗יךָ שְׁנ֫וּנִ֥ים עַ֭מִּים תַּחְתֶּ֣יךָ יִפְּל֑וּ בְּ֝לֵ֗ב אוֹיְבֵ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (ז) כִּסְאֲךָ֣ אֱ֭לֹקִים עוֹלָ֣ם וָעֶ֑ד שֵׁ֥בֶט מִ֝ישֹׁ֗ר שֵׁ֣בֶט מַלְכוּתֶֽךָ׃ (ח) אָהַ֣בְתָּ צֶּדֶק֮ וַתִּשְׂנָ֫א־רֶ֥שַׁע עַל־כֵּ֤ן ׀ מְשָׁחֲךָ֡ אֱלֹקִ֣ים אֱ֭לֹקֶיךָ שֶׁ֥מֶן שָׂשׂ֗וֹן מֵחֲבֵרֶֽךָ׃ (ט) מֹר־וַאֲהָל֣וֹת קְ֭צִיעוֹת כׇּל־בִּגְדֹתֶ֑יךָ מִֽן־הֵ֥יכְלֵי שֵׁ֝֗ן מִנִּ֥י שִׂמְּחֽוּךָ׃ (י) בְּנ֣וֹת מְ֭לָכִים בְּיִקְּרוֹתֶ֑יךָ נִצְּבָ֥ה שֵׁגַ֥ל לִ֝ימִינְךָ֗ בְּכֶ֣תֶם אוֹפִֽיר׃ (יא) שִׁמְעִי־בַ֣ת וּ֭רְאִי וְהַטִּ֣י אׇזְנֵ֑ךְ וְשִׁכְחִ֥י עַ֝מֵּ֗ךְ וּבֵ֥ית אָבִֽיךְ׃ (יב) וְיִתְאָ֣ו הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ יׇפְיֵ֑ךְ כִּי־ה֥וּא אֲ֝דֹנַ֗יִךְ וְהִשְׁתַּֽחֲוִי־לֽוֹ׃ (יג) וּבַֽת־צֹ֨ר ׀ בְּ֭מִנְחָה פָּנַ֥יִךְ יְחַלּ֗וּ עֲשִׁ֣ירֵי עָֽם׃ (יד) כׇּל־כְּבוּדָּ֣ה בַת־מֶ֣לֶךְ פְּנִ֑ימָה מִֽמִּשְׁבְּצ֖וֹת זָהָ֣ב לְבוּשָֽׁהּ׃ (טו) לִרְקָמוֹת֮ תּוּבַ֢ל לַ֫מֶּ֥לֶךְ בְּתוּל֣וֹת אַ֭חֲרֶיהָ רֵעוֹתֶ֑יהָ מ֖וּבָא֣וֹת לָֽךְ׃ (טז) תּ֭וּבַלְנָה בִּשְׂמָחֹ֣ת וָגִ֑יל תְּ֝בֹאֶ֗ינָה בְּהֵ֣יכַל מֶֽלֶךְ׃ (יז) תַּ֣חַת אֲ֭בֹתֶיךָ יִהְי֣וּ בָנֶ֑יךָ תְּשִׁיתֵ֥מוֹ לְ֝שָׂרִ֗ים בְּכׇל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (יח) אַזְכִּ֣ירָה שִׁ֭מְךָ בְּכׇל־דֹּ֣ר וָדֹ֑ר עַל־כֵּ֥ן עַמִּ֥ים יְ֝הוֹד֗וּךָ לְעֹלָ֥ם וָעֶֽד׃ {פ}
(1) For the leader; on shoshannim. Of the Korahites. A maskil. A love song. (2) My heart is astir with gracious words; I speak my poem to a king; my tongue is the pen of an expert scribe. (3) You are fairer than all men; your speech is endowed with grace; rightly has God given you an eternal blessing. (4) Gird your sword upon your thigh, O hero, in your splendor and glory; (5) in your glory, win success; ride on in the cause of truth and meekness and right; and let your right hand lead you to awesome deeds. (6) Your arrows, sharpened, [pierce] the breast of the king’s enemies; peoples fall at your feet. (7) Your divine throne is everlasting; your royal scepter is a scepter of equity. (8) You love righteousness and hate wickedness; rightly has God, your God, chosen to anoint you with oil of gladness over all your peers. (9) All your robes [are fragrant] with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from ivoried palaces lutes entertain you. (10) Royal princesses are your favorites; the consort stands at your right hand, decked in gold of Ophir. (11) Take heed, lass, and note, incline your ear: forget your people and your father’s house, (12) and let the king be aroused by your beauty; since he is your lord, bow to him. (13) O Tyrian lass, the wealthiest people will court your favor with gifts, (14) goods of all sorts. The royal princess, her dress embroidered with golden mountings, (15) is led inside to the king; maidens in her train, her companions, are presented to you. (16) They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king. (17) Your sons will succeed your ancestors; you will appoint them princes throughout the land. (18) I commemorate your fame for all generations, so peoples will praise you forever and ever.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ לִבְנֵי־קֹ֑רַח עַֽל־עֲלָמ֥וֹת שִֽׁיר׃ (ב) אֱלֹקִ֣ים לָ֭נוּ מַחֲסֶ֣ה וָעֹ֑ז עֶזְרָ֥ה בְ֝צָר֗וֹת נִמְצָ֥א מְאֹֽד׃ (ג) עַל־כֵּ֣ן לֹֽא־נִ֭ירָא בְּהָמִ֣יר אָ֑רֶץ וּבְמ֥וֹט הָ֝רִ֗ים בְּלֵ֣ב יַמִּֽים׃ (ד) יֶהֱמ֣וּ יֶחְמְר֣וּ מֵימָ֑יו יִ֥רְעֲשֽׁוּ־הָרִ֖ים בְּגַאֲוָת֣וֹ סֶֽלָה׃ (ה) נָהָ֗ר פְּלָגָ֗יו יְשַׂמְּח֥וּ עִיר־אֱלֹקִ֑ים קְ֝דֹ֗שׁ מִשְׁכְּנֵ֥י עֶלְיֽוֹן׃ (ו) אֱלֹקִ֣ים בְּ֭קִרְבָּהּ בַּל־תִּמּ֑וֹט יַעְזְרֶ֥הָ אֱ֝לֹקִ֗ים לִפְנ֥וֹת בֹּֽקֶר׃ (ז) הָמ֣וּ ג֭וֹיִם מָ֣טוּ מַמְלָכ֑וֹת נָתַ֥ן בְּ֝קוֹל֗וֹ תָּמ֥וּג אָֽרֶץ׃ (ח) ה׳ צְבָא֣וֹת עִמָּ֑נוּ מִשְׂגָּֽב־לָ֨נוּ אֱלֹקֵ֖י יַעֲקֹ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃ (ט) לְֽכוּ־חֲ֭זוּ מִפְעֲל֣וֹת ה׳ אֲשֶׁר־שָׂ֖ם שַׁמּ֣וֹת בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ (י) מַשְׁבִּ֥ית מִלְחָמוֹת֮ עַד־קְצֵ֢ה הָ֫אָ֥רֶץ קֶ֣שֶׁת יְ֭שַׁבֵּר וְקִצֵּ֣ץ חֲנִ֑ית עֲ֝גָל֗וֹת יִשְׂרֹ֥ף בָּאֵֽשׁ׃ (יא) הַרְפּ֣וּ וּ֭דְעוּ כִּֽי־אָנֹכִ֣י אֱלֹקִ֑ים אָר֥וּם בַּ֝גּוֹיִ֗ם אָר֥וּם בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ (יב) ה׳ צְבָא֣וֹת עִמָּ֑נוּ מִשְׂגָּֽב־לָ֨נוּ אֱלֹקֵ֖י יַעֲקֹ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃ {פ}
(1) For the leader. Of the Korahites; on alamoth. A song. (2) God is our refuge and stronghold, a help in trouble, very near. (3) Therefore we are not afraid though the earth reels, though mountains topple into the sea— (4) its waters rage and foam; in its swell mountains quake. Selah. (5) There is a river whose streams gladden God’s city, the holy dwelling-place of the Most High. (6) God is in its midst, it will not be toppled; by daybreak God will come to its aid. (7) Nations rage, kingdoms topple; at the sound of His thunder the earth dissolves. (8) The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our haven. Selah. (9) Come and see what the LORD has done, how He has wrought desolation on the earth. (10) He puts a stop to wars throughout the earth, breaking the bow, snapping the spear, consigning wagons to the flames. (11) “Desist! Realize that I am God! I dominate the nations; I dominate the earth.” (12) The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our haven. Selah.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּ֬חַ ׀ לִבְנֵי־קֹ֬רַח מִזְמֽוֹר׃ (ב) כׇּֽל־הָ֭עַמִּים תִּקְעוּ־כָ֑ף הָרִ֥יעוּ לֵ֝אלֹקִ֗ים בְּק֣וֹל רִנָּֽה׃ (ג) כִּֽי־ה׳ עֶלְי֣וֹן נוֹרָ֑א מֶ֥לֶךְ גָּ֝ד֗וֹל עַל־כׇּל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (ד) יַדְבֵּ֣ר עַמִּ֣ים תַּחְתֵּ֑ינוּ וּ֝לְאֻמִּ֗ים תַּ֣חַת רַגְלֵֽינוּ׃ (ה) יִבְחַר־לָ֥נוּ אֶת־נַחֲלָתֵ֑נוּ אֶ֥ת־גְּא֨וֹן יַעֲקֹ֖ב אֲשֶׁר־אָהֵ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃ (ו) עָלָ֣ה אֱ֭לֹקִים בִּתְרוּעָ֑ה ה׳ בְּק֣וֹל שׁוֹפָֽר׃ (ז) זַמְּר֣וּ אֱלֹקִ֣ים זַמֵּ֑רוּ זַמְּר֖וּ לְמַלְכֵּ֣נוּ זַמֵּֽרוּ׃ (ח) כִּ֤י מֶ֖לֶךְ כׇּל־הָאָ֥רֶץ אֱלֹקִ֗ים זַמְּר֥וּ מַשְׂכִּֽיל׃ (ט) מָלַ֣ךְ אֱ֭לֹקִים עַל־גּוֹיִ֑ם אֱ֝לֹקִ֗ים יָשַׁ֤ב ׀ עַל־כִּסֵּ֬א קׇדְשֽׁוֹ׃ (י) נְדִ֘יבֵ֤י עַמִּ֨ים ׀ נֶאֱסָ֗פוּ עַם֮ אֱלֹקֵ֢י אַבְרָ֫הָ֥ם כִּ֣י לֵ֭אלֹקִים מָֽגִנֵּי־אֶ֗רֶץ מְאֹ֣ד נַעֲלָֽה׃ {פ}
(1) For the leader. Of the Korahites. A psalm. (2) All you peoples, clap your hands, raise a joyous shout for God. (3) For the LORD Most High is awesome, great king over all the earth; (4) He subjects peoples to us, sets nations at our feet. (5) He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom He loved. Selah. (6) God ascends midst acclamation; the LORD, to the blasts of the horn. (7) Sing, O sing to God; sing, O sing to our king; (8) for God is king over all the earth; sing a hymn. (9) God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne. (10) The great of the peoples are gathered together, the retinue of Abraham’s God; for the guardians of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.
(א) שִׁ֥יר מִ֝זְמ֗וֹר לִבְנֵי־קֹֽרַח׃ (ב) גָּ֘ד֤וֹל ה׳ וּמְהֻלָּ֣ל מְאֹ֑ד בְּעִ֥יר אֱ֝לֹקֵ֗ינוּ הַר־קׇדְשֽׁוֹ׃ (ג) יְפֵ֥ה נוֹף֮ מְשׂ֢וֹשׂ כׇּל־הָ֫אָ֥רֶץ הַר־צִ֭יּוֹן יַרְכְּתֵ֣י צָפ֑וֹן קִ֝רְיַ֗ת מֶ֣לֶךְ רָֽב׃ (ד) אֱלֹקִ֥ים בְּאַרְמְנוֹתֶ֗יהָ נוֹדַ֥ע לְמִשְׂגָּֽב׃ (ה) כִּֽי־הִנֵּ֣ה הַ֭מְּלָכִים נ֥וֹעֲד֑וּ עָבְר֥וּ יַחְדָּֽו׃ (ו) הֵ֣מָּה רָ֭אוּ כֵּ֣ן תָּמָ֑הוּ נִבְהֲל֥וּ נֶחְפָּֽזוּ׃ (ז) רְ֭עָדָה אֲחָזָ֣תַם שָׁ֑ם חִ֝֗יל כַּיּוֹלֵדָֽה׃ (ח) בְּר֥וּחַ קָדִ֑ים תְּ֝שַׁבֵּ֗ר אֳנִיּ֥וֹת תַּרְשִֽׁישׁ׃ (ט) כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר שָׁמַ֨עְנוּ ׀ כֵּ֤ן רָאִ֗ינוּ בְּעִיר־ה׳ צְ֭בָאוֹת בְּעִ֣יר אֱלֹקֵ֑ינוּ אֱלֹ֘קִ֤ים יְכוֹנְנֶ֖הָ עַד־עוֹלָ֣ם סֶֽלָה׃ (י) דִּמִּ֣ינוּ אֱלֹקִ֣ים חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ בְּ֝קֶ֗רֶב הֵיכָלֶֽךָ׃ (יא) כְּשִׁמְךָ֤ אֱלֹקִ֗ים כֵּ֣ן תְּ֭הִלָּתְךָ עַל־קַצְוֵי־אֶ֑רֶץ צֶ֝֗דֶק מָלְאָ֥ה יְמִינֶֽךָ׃ (יב) יִשְׂמַ֤ח ׀ הַר־צִיּ֗וֹן תָּ֭גֵלְנָה בְּנ֣וֹת יְהוּדָ֑ה לְ֝מַ֗עַן מִשְׁפָּטֶֽיךָ׃ (יג) סֹ֣בּוּ צִ֭יּוֹן וְהַקִּיפ֑וּהָ סִ֝פְר֗וּ מִגְדָּלֶֽיהָ׃ (יד) שִׁ֤יתוּ לִבְּכֶ֨ם ׀ לְֽחֵילָ֗הֿ פַּסְּג֥וּ אַרְמְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ לְמַ֥עַן תְּ֝סַפְּר֗וּ לְד֣וֹר אַחֲרֽוֹן׃ (טו) כִּ֤י זֶ֨ה ׀ אֱלֹקִ֣ים אֱ֭לֹקֵינוּ עוֹלָ֣ם וָעֶ֑ד ה֖וּא יְנַהֲגֵ֣נוּ עַל־מֽוּת׃ {פ}
(1) A song. A psalm of the Korahites. (2) The LORD is great and much acclaimed in the city of our God, His holy mountain— (3) fair-crested, joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, summit of Zaphon, city of the great king. (4) Through its citadels, God has made Himself known as a haven. (5) See, the kings joined forces; they advanced together. (6) At the mere sight of it they were stunned, they were terrified, they panicked; (7) they were seized there with a trembling, like a woman in the throes of labor, (8) as the Tarshish fleet was wrecked in an easterly gale. (9) The likes of what we heard we have now witnessed in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God— may God preserve it forever! Selah. (10) In Your temple, God, we meditate upon Your faithful care. (11) The praise of You, God, like Your name, reaches to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is filled with beneficence. (12) Let Mount Zion rejoice! Let the towns of Judah exult, because of Your judgments. (13) Walk around Zion, circle it; count its towers, (14) take note of its ramparts; go through its citadels, that you may recount it to a future age. (15) For God—He is our God forever; He will lead us evermore.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּ֬חַ ׀ לִבְנֵי־קֹ֬רַח מִזְמֽוֹר׃ (ב) שִׁמְעוּ־זֹ֭את כׇּל־הָעַמִּ֑ים הַ֝אֲזִ֗ינוּ כׇּל־יֹ֥שְׁבֵי חָֽלֶד׃ (ג) גַּם־בְּנֵ֣י אָ֭דָם גַּם־בְּנֵי־אִ֑ישׁ יַ֝֗חַד עָשִׁ֥יר וְאֶבְיֽוֹן׃ (ד) פִּ֭י יְדַבֵּ֣ר חׇכְמ֑וֹת וְהָג֖וּת לִבִּ֣י תְבוּנֽוֹת׃ (ה) אַטֶּ֣ה לְמָשָׁ֣ל אׇזְנִ֑י אֶפְתַּ֥ח בְּ֝כִנּ֗וֹר חִידָתִֽי׃ (ו) לָ֣מָּה אִ֭ירָא בִּ֣ימֵי רָ֑ע עֲוֺ֖ן עֲקֵבַ֣י יְסוּבֵּֽנִי׃ (ז) הַבֹּטְחִ֥ים עַל־חֵילָ֑ם וּבְרֹ֥ב עׇ֝שְׁרָ֗ם יִתְהַלָּֽלוּ׃ (ח) אָ֗ח לֹא־פָדֹ֣ה יִפְדֶּ֣ה אִ֑ישׁ לֹא־יִתֵּ֖ן לֵאלֹקִ֣ים כׇּפְרֽוֹ׃ (ט) וְ֭יֵקַר פִּדְי֥וֹן נַפְשָׁ֗ם וְחָדַ֥ל לְעוֹלָֽם׃ (י) וִיחִי־ע֥וֹד לָנֶ֑צַח לֹ֖א יִרְאֶ֣ה הַשָּֽׁחַת׃ (יא) כִּ֤י יִרְאֶ֨ה ׀ חֲכָ֘מִ֤ים יָמ֗וּתוּ יַ֤חַד כְּסִ֣יל וָבַ֣עַר יֹאבֵ֑דוּ וְעָזְב֖וּ לַאֲחֵרִ֣ים חֵילָֽם׃ (יב) קִרְבָּ֤ם בָּתֵּ֨ימוֹ ׀ לְֽעוֹלָ֗ם מִ֭שְׁכְּנֹתָם לְד֣וֹר וָדֹ֑ר קָרְא֥וּ בִ֝שְׁמוֹתָ֗ם עֲלֵ֣י אֲדָמֽוֹת׃ (יג) וְאָדָ֣ם בִּ֭יקָר בַּל־יָלִ֑ין נִמְשַׁ֖ל כַּבְּהֵמ֣וֹת נִדְמֽוּ׃ (יד) זֶ֣ה דַ֭רְכָּם כֵּ֣סֶל לָ֑מוֹ וְאַחֲרֵיהֶ֓ם ׀ בְּפִיהֶ֖ם יִרְצ֣וּ סֶֽלָה׃ (טו) כַּצֹּ֤אן ׀ לִ֥שְׁא֣וֹל שַׁתּוּ֮ מָ֤וֶת יִ֫רְעֵ֥ם וַיִּרְדּ֘וּ־בָ֤ם יְשָׁרִ֨ים ׀ לַבֹּ֗קֶר (וצירם) [וְ֭צוּרָם] לְבַלּ֥וֹת שְׁא֗וֹל מִזְּבֻ֥ל לֽוֹ׃ (טז) אַךְ־אֱלֹקִ֗ים יִפְדֶּ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי מִֽיַּד־שְׁא֑וֹל כִּ֖י יִקָּחֵ֣נִי סֶֽלָה׃ (יז) אַל־תִּ֭ירָא כִּֽי־יַעֲשִׁ֣ר אִ֑ישׁ כִּי־יִ֝רְבֶּ֗ה כְּב֣וֹד בֵּיתֽוֹ׃ (יח) כִּ֤י לֹ֣א בְ֭מוֹתוֹ יִקַּ֣ח הַכֹּ֑ל לֹֽא־יֵרֵ֖ד אַחֲרָ֣יו כְּבוֹדֽוֹ׃ (יט) כִּֽי־נַ֭פְשׁוֹ בְּחַיָּ֣יו יְבָרֵ֑ךְ וְ֝יוֹדֻ֗ךָ כִּי־תֵיטִ֥יב לָֽךְ׃ (כ) תָּ֭בוֹא עַד־דּ֣וֹר אֲבוֹתָ֑יו עַד־נֵ֝֗צַח לֹ֣א יִרְאוּ־אֽוֹר׃ (כא) אָדָ֣ם בִּ֭יקָר וְלֹ֣א יָבִ֑ין נִמְשַׁ֖ל כַּבְּהֵמ֣וֹת נִדְמֽוּ׃ {פ}
(1) For the leader. Of the Korahites. A psalm. (2) Hear this, all you peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world, (3) men of all estates, rich and poor alike. (4) My mouth utters wisdom, my speech is full of insight. (5) I will turn my attention to a theme, set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre. (6) In time of trouble, why should I fear the encompassing evil of those who would supplant me— (7) men who trust in their riches, who glory in their great wealth? (8) Ah, it cannot redeem a man, or pay his ransom to God; (9) the price of life is too high; and so one ceases to be, forever. (10) Shall he live eternally, and never see the grave? (11) For one sees that the wise die, that the foolish and ignorant both perish, leaving their wealth to others. (12) Their grave is their eternal home, the dwelling-place for all generations of those once famous on earth. (13) Man does not abide in honor; he is like the beasts that perish. (14) Such is the fate of those who are self-confident, the end of those pleased with their own talk. Selah. (15) Sheeplike they head for Sheol, with Death as their shepherd. The upright shall rule over them at daybreak, and their form shall waste away in Sheol till its nobility be gone. (16) But God will redeem my life from the clutches of Sheol, for He will take me. Selah. (17) Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when his household goods increase; (18) for when he dies he can take none of it along; his goods cannot follow him down. (19) Though he congratulates himself in his lifetime —“They must admit that you did well by yourself”— (20) yet he must join the company of his ancestors, who will never see daylight again. (21) Man does not understand honor; he is like the beasts that perish.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ עַֽל־הַגִּתִּ֑ית לִבְנֵי־קֹ֥רַח מִזְמֽוֹר׃ (ב) מַה־יְּדִיד֥וֹת מִשְׁכְּנוֹתֶ֗יךָ ה׳ צְבָאֽוֹת׃ (ג) נִכְסְפָ֬ה וְגַם־כָּלְתָ֨ה ׀ נַפְשִׁי֮ לְחַצְר֢וֹת ה׳ לִבִּ֥י וּבְשָׂרִ֑י יְ֝רַנְּנ֗וּ אֶ֣ל אֵֽל־חָֽי׃ (ד) גַּם־צִפּ֨וֹר מָ֪צְאָה בַ֡יִת וּדְר֤וֹר ׀קֵ֥ן לָהּ֮ אֲשֶׁר־שָׁ֢תָה אֶפְרֹ֫חֶ֥יהָ אֶֽת־מִ֭זְבְּחוֹתֶיךָ ה׳ צְבָא֑וֹת מַ֝לְכִּ֗י וֵאלֹקָֽי׃ (ה) אַ֭שְׁרֵי יוֹשְׁבֵ֣י בֵיתֶ֑ךָ ע֝֗וֹד יְֽהַלְל֥וּךָ סֶּֽלָה׃ (ו) אַשְׁרֵ֣י אָ֭דָם עֽוֹז־ל֥וֹ בָ֑ךְ מְ֝סִלּ֗וֹת בִּלְבָבָֽם׃ (ז) עֹבְרֵ֤י ׀ בְּעֵ֣מֶק הַ֭בָּכָא מַעְיָ֣ן יְשִׁית֑וּהוּ גַּם־בְּ֝רָכ֗וֹת יַעְטֶ֥ה מוֹרֶֽה׃ (ח) יֵ֭לְכוּ מֵחַ֣יִל אֶל־חָ֑יִל יֵרָאֶ֖ה אֶל־אֱלֹקִ֣ים בְּצִיּֽוֹן׃ (ט) ה׳ אֱלֹקִ֣ים צְ֭בָאוֹת שִׁמְעָ֣ה תְפִלָּתִ֑י הַאֲזִ֨ינָה אֱלֹקֵ֖י יַעֲקֹ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃ (י) מָ֭גִנֵּנוּ רְאֵ֣ה אֱלֹקִ֑ים וְ֝הַבֵּ֗ט פְּנֵ֣י מְשִׁיחֶֽךָ׃ (יא) כִּ֤י טֽוֹב־י֥וֹם בַּחֲצֵרֶ֗יךָ מֵ֫אָ֥לֶף בָּחַ֗רְתִּי הִ֭סְתּוֹפֵף בְּבֵ֣ית אֱלֹקַ֑י מִ֝דּ֗וּר בְּאׇהֳלֵי־רֶֽשַׁע׃ (יב) כִּ֤י שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ ׀ וּמָגֵן֮ ה׳ אֱלֹ֫קִ֥ים חֵ֣ן וְ֭כָבוֹד יִתֵּ֣ן ה׳ לֹ֥א יִמְנַע־ט֝֗וֹב לַֽהֹלְכִ֥ים בְּתָמִֽים׃ (יג) ה׳ צְבָא֑וֹת אַֽשְׁרֵ֥י אָ֝דָ֗ם בֹּטֵ֥חַ בָּֽךְ׃ {פ}
(1) For the leader; on the gittith. Of the Korahites. A psalm. (2) How lovely is Your dwelling-place, O LORD of hosts. (3) I long, I yearn for the courts of the LORD; my body and soul shout for joy to the living God. (4) Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself in which to set her young, near Your altar, O LORD of hosts, my king and my God. (5) Happy are those who dwell in Your house; they forever praise You. Selah. (6) Happy is the man who finds refuge in You, whose mind is on the [pilgrim] highways. (7) They pass through the Valley of Baca, regarding it as a place of springs, as if the early rain had covered it with blessing. (8) They go from rampart to rampart, appearing before God in Zion. (9) O LORD, God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. (10) O God, behold our shield, look upon the face of Your anointed. (11) Better one day in Your courts than a thousand [anywhere else]; I would rather stand at the threshold of God’s house than dwell in the tents of the wicked. (12) For the LORD God is sun and shield; the LORD bestows grace and glory; He does not withhold His bounty from those who live without blame. (13) O LORD of hosts, happy is the man who trusts in You.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּ֬חַ ׀ לִבְנֵי־קֹ֬רַח מִזְמֽוֹר׃ (ב) רָצִ֣יתָ ה׳ אַרְצֶ֑ךָ שַׁ֝֗בְתָּ (שבות) [שְׁבִ֣ית] יַעֲקֹֽב׃ (ג) נָ֭שָׂאתָ עֲוֺ֣ן עַמֶּ֑ךָ כִּסִּ֖יתָ כׇל־חַטָּאתָ֣ם סֶֽלָה׃ (ד) אָסַ֥פְתָּ כׇל־עֶבְרָתֶ֑ךָ הֱ֝שִׁיב֗וֹתָ מֵחֲר֥וֹן אַפֶּֽךָ׃ (ה) שׁ֭וּבֵנוּ אֱלֹקֵ֣י יִשְׁעֵ֑נוּ וְהָפֵ֖ר כַּעַסְךָ֣ עִמָּֽנוּ׃ (ו) הַלְעוֹלָ֥ם תֶּאֱנַף־בָּ֑נוּ תִּמְשֹׁ֥ךְ אַ֝פְּךָ֗ לְדֹ֣ר וָדֹֽר׃ (ז) הֲֽלֹא־אַ֭תָּה תָּשׁ֣וּב תְּחַיֵּ֑נוּ וְ֝עַמְּךָ֗ יִשְׂמְחוּ־בָֽךְ׃ (ח) הַרְאֵ֣נוּ ה׳ חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝יֶשְׁעֲךָ֗ תִּתֶּן־לָֽנוּ׃ (ט) אֶשְׁמְעָ֗ה מַה־יְדַבֵּר֮ הָאֵ֢ל ׀ ה׳ כִּ֤י ׀ יְדַבֵּ֬ר שָׁל֗וֹם אֶל־עַמּ֥וֹ וְאֶל־חֲסִידָ֑יו וְאַל־יָשׁ֥וּבוּ לְכִסְלָֽה׃ (י) אַ֤ךְ קָר֣וֹב לִירֵאָ֣יו יִשְׁע֑וֹ לִשְׁכֹּ֖ן כָּב֣וֹד בְּאַרְצֵֽנוּ׃ (יא) חֶסֶד־וֶאֱמֶ֥ת נִפְגָּ֑שׁוּ צֶ֖דֶק וְשָׁל֣וֹם נָשָֽׁקוּ׃ (יב) אֱ֭מֶת מֵאֶ֣רֶץ תִּצְמָ֑ח וְ֝צֶ֗דֶק מִשָּׁמַ֥יִם נִשְׁקָֽף׃ (יג) גַּם־ה׳ יִתֵּ֣ן הַטּ֑וֹב וְ֝אַרְצֵ֗נוּ תִּתֵּ֥ן יְבוּלָֽהּ׃ (יד) צֶ֭דֶק לְפָנָ֣יו יְהַלֵּ֑ךְ וְיָשֵׂ֖ם לְדֶ֣רֶךְ פְּעָמָֽיו׃ {פ}
(1) For the leader. Of the Korahites. A psalm. (2) O LORD, You will favor Your land, restore Jacob’s fortune; (3) You will forgive Your people’s iniquity, pardon all their sins; selah(4) You will withdraw all Your anger, turn away from Your rage. (5) Turn again, O God, our helper, revoke Your displeasure with us. (6) Will You be angry with us forever, prolong Your wrath for all generations? (7) Surely You will revive us again, so that Your people may rejoice in You. (8) Show us, O LORD, Your faithfulness; grant us Your deliverance. (9) Let me hear what God, the LORD, will speak; He will promise well-being to His people, His faithful ones; may they not turn to folly. (10) His help is very near those who fear Him, to make His glory dwell in our land. (11) Faithfulness and truth meet; justice and well-being kiss. (12) Truth springs up from the earth; justice looks down from heaven. (13) The LORD also bestows His bounty; our land yields its produce. (14) Justice goes before Him as He sets out on His way.
וַיַּקְהֵל עֲלֵיהֶם קֹרַח (במדבר טז, יט), אָמַר לָהֶם (במדבר טז, ג): כָל הָעֵדָה כֻּלָּם קְדשִׁים, וְכֻלָּם שָׁמְעוּ בְּסִינַי (שמות כ, ב): אָנֹכִי ה׳ אֱלֹקֶיךָ, (במדבר טז, ג): וּמַדּוּעַ תִּתְנַשְֹּׂאוּ עַל קְהַל ה׳, אִלְמָלֵא אַתֶּם שְׁמַעְתֶּם לְבַדְּכֶם וְהֵם לֹא שָׁמְעוּ, הֱיִיתֶם אוֹמְרִים, עַכְשָׁו כֻּלָּם שָׁמְעוּ וּמַדּוּעַ תִּתְנַשְֹּׂאוּ. מִיָּד נִזְדַּעְזַע משֶׁה מִפְּנֵי הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁכְּבָר הָיָה בְּיָדָן סִרְחוֹן רְבִיעִי. מָשָׁל לְבֶן מֶלֶךְ שֶׁסָּרַח עַל אָבִיו וּפִיֵּס עָלָיו אוֹהֲבוֹ פַּעַם שְׁתַּיִם וְשָׁלשׁ, כְּשֶׁסָּרַח רְבִיעִית נִתְרַשְׁלוּ יְדֵי אוֹהֲבוֹ שֶׁל מֶלֶךְ, אָמַר כַּמָּה פְּעָמִים אַטְרִיחַ אֶת הַמֶּלֶךְ. אַף כָּאן משֶׁה, חָטְאוּ בָּעֵגֶל (שמות לב, יא): וַיְחַל משֶׁה, (במדבר יא, א): וַיְהִי הָעָם כְּמִתְאֹנְנִים, (במדבר יא, ב): וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל משֶׁה, בַּמְּרַגְּלִים (במדבר יד, יג): וַיֹּאמֶר משֶׁה אֶל ה׳ וְשָׁמְעוּ מִצְרַיִם, בְּמַחְלָקְתּוֹ שֶׁל קֹרַח אָמַר כַּמָּה אוּכַל לְהַטְרִיחַ אֶת הַמָקוֹם, לְפִיכָךְ (במדבר טז, ד): וַיִּשְׁמַע משֶׁה וַיִּפֹּל עַל פָּנָיו.
“Koraḥ assembled…against them” (Numbers 16:19) – He said to them: ‘“The entire congregation, all of them are holy” (Numbers 16:3), and all of them heard at Sinai: “I am the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:2), “and why do you elevate yourselves over the assembly of the Lord?” (Numbers 16:3). Had you heard it alone, and they had not heard, you could say it, but now, all of them heard. Why do you elevate yourselves?’ Moses was immediately shaken due to the dispute, because this was already their fourth wrongdoing. This is analogous to a king’s son who wronged his father. His dear friend placated him [the king] once, twice, three times. When he committed a fourth wrongdoing, the hands of the king’s dear friend were rendered powerless. He said: ‘How many times can I impose upon the king?’ So it was with Moses. They sinned with the calf – “Moses prayed” (Exodus 32:11). “The people were as complainers” (Numbers 11:1) – “Moses prayed” (Numbers 11:2). Regarding the spies – “Moses said: Egypt will hear…” (Numbers 14:13). Regarding Koraḥ’s dispute, he said: ‘How much can I impose upon the Omnipresent?’ That is why: “Moses heard and he fell on his face” (Numbers 16:4).
וַיִּקַח קֹרַח. לָקַח טַלִּיתוֹ וְהָלַךְ לִטֹּל עֵצָה מֵאִשְׁתּוֹ. בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר לֵיהּ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְמֹשֶׁה קַח אֶת הַלְּוִיִּם מִתּוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְטִהַרְתָּ אוֹתָם, וְכֹה תַּעֲשֶׂה לָהֶם לְטַהֲרָם וְגוֹ' (שם ח, ו-ז), מִיָּד עָשָׂה מֹשֶׁה כֵן לְקֹרַח. הִתְחִיל לְחַזֵּר עַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, לֹא הָיוּ מַכִּירִין אוֹתוֹ. אָמְרוּ לוֹ: מִי עָשָׂה בְךָ כָּךְ. אָמַר לָהֶם: מֹשֶׁה עָשָׂה בִּי כָּךְ, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא נְטָלוּנִי בְּיָדַי וְרַגְלַי וְהָיוּ מְנִיפִין אוֹתִי וְאוֹמְרִים לִי, הֲרֵי אַתָּה טָהוֹר. וְהֵבִיא אֶת אַהֲרֹן אָחִיו וְקִשְּׁטוֹ כְּכַלָּה וְהוֹשִׁיבוֹ בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד. מִיָּד הִתְחִילוּ שׂוֹנְאֵי מֹשֶׁה לְהִתְגָּרוֹת בּוֹ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאָמְרוּ, מֹשֶׁה מֶלֶךְ, וְאַהֲרֹן אָחִיו כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל, וּבְנֵי אַהֲרֹן סְגָנֵי כְהֻנָּה. תְּרוּמָה לַכֹּהֵן, מַעֲשֵׂר רִאשׁוֹן לַכֹּהֵן, עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבַּע מַתָּנוֹת לַכֹּהֵן. מִיָּד, וְיִקָּהֲלוּ עַל מֹשֶׁה וְעַל אַהֲרֹן וְגוֹ'. אָמַר רַבִּי לֵוִי, בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה כִּנֵּס אֶת עֲדָתוֹ, וְאָמַר לָהֶם: הִרְבֵּיתֶם עָלֵינוּ מַשְּׂאוֹי יֶתֶר מִשִּׁעְבּוּד מִצְרַיִם, טוֹב לָנוּ תַּחַת יַד מִצְרַיִם יוֹתֵר מִתַּחַת יְדֵיכֶם, שֶׁבְּכָל שָׁנָה וְשָׁנָה מֵתִים מִמֶּנּוּ חֲמִשָּׁה עֶשֶׂר אֶלֶף וְאַרְבָּעִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה. וּבִקְּשׁוּ לְסָקְלָן. וְיִשְׁמַע מֹשֶׁה וַיִּפֹּל עַל פָּנָיו. אָמַר לָהֶם מֹשֶׁה, לֹא מְלוּכָה אֲנִי מְבַקֵּשׁ, וְלֹא אַהֲרֹן כְּהֻנָּה גְּדוֹלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְאַהֲרֹן מַה הוּא כִּי תָּלִינוּ עָלָיו. אָמַר מֹשֶׁה לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, לֹא כָּךְ צִוִּיתַנִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְאַתָּה הַקְרֵב אֵלֶיךָ אֶת אַהֲרֹן וְגוֹ' (שמות כח, א), וַהֲרֵי עָמְדוּ כְּנֶגְדֵנוּ לְהָרְגֵנוּ. אָמַר לָהֶם: בֹּקֶר וְיוֹדַע ה׳ אֶת אֲשֶׁר לוֹ. מַהוּ בֹּקֶר. אָמַר רַבִּי נָתַן, אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, אִם יִתְקַבְּצוּ כָּל חַרְטוּמֵי מִצְרִים וִיבַקְּשׁוּ לַהֲפֹךְ אֶת הַבֹּקֶר לְעֶרֶב וְעֶרֶב לְבֹקֶר, לֹא יוּכְלוּ. כָּךְ, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁהִבְדַּלְתִּי בֵּין אוֹר לְחֹשֶׁךְ, כָּךְ הִבְדַּלְתִּי אַהֲרֹן לְהַקְדִּישׁוֹ בְּקֹדֶשׁ הַקָּדָשִׁים. מִיָּד, וַיִּשְׁלַח מֹשֶׁה לִקְרֹא וְגוֹ'. לֹא נֵלֵךְ לֹא נָבוֹא אֵין כְּתִיב כָּאן, אֶלָּא לֹא נַעֲלֶה. וַעֲלֵיהֶם אָמַר שְׁלֹמֹה, פִּי כְסִיל מְחִתָּה לוֹ (משלי יח, ז). פָּתְחוּ פִּיהֶם לְפֻרְעָנִיּוּת, לוֹמַר, שֶׁהֵם מֵתִים בִּיְרִידָה וְלֹא בַּעֲלִיָּה. כְּשֵׁם שֶׁאָמְרוּ כָּךְ מֵתוּ, וְיָרְדוּ הֵם וְכָל אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם חַיִּים שְׁאוֹלָה. אָמַר מֹשֶׁה, הוֹאִיל וְלֹא רָצוּ לָבֹא, אֲנִי אֵלֵךְ אֶצְלָם, אוּלַי יִתְבַּיְּשׁוּ וְיַחְזְרוּ בָהֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וַיָּקָם מֹשֶׁה וַיֵּלֵךְ אֶל דָּתָן וַאֲבִירָם. כְּשֶׁרָאוּ אוֹתוֹ, הִתְחִילוּ לְחָרֵף וּלְגַדֵּף, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: וְדָתָן וַאֲבִירָם יָצְאוּ נִצָּבִים. וְכִי יוֹשְׁבִין אוֹ כוֹרְעִין אוֹ נוֹפְלִין יוֹצְאִין בְּנֵי אָדָם. אֶלָּא מְלַמֵּד שֶׁיָּצְאוּ כְּשֶׁהֵן מְחָרְפִין וּמְגַדְּפִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר כָּאן יְצִיאָה וְהַצָּבָה, וְנֶאֱמַר בְּגָלְיַת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי יְצִיאָה וְהַצָּבָה, דִּכְתִיב: וְיָצָא אִישׁ הַבֵּינַיִם (ש״א יז, ד), וַיִּגַּשׁ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הַשְׁכֵּם וְהַעֲרֵב וַיִּתְיַצֵּב (שם פסוק טז). מַה יְּצִיאָה וְהַצָּבָה הַתָּם בְּחֵרוּפִין וּבְגִדּוּפִין, אַף כָּאן בְּחֵרוּפִין וּבְגִדּוּפִין. לְכָךְ פָּתַח מֹשֶׁה וְאָמַר, אִם כְּמוֹת כָּל הָאָדָם יְמוּתוּן אֵלֶּה וְגוֹ'. וּכְתִיב: וַתִּפְתַּח הָאָרֶץ אֶת פִּיהָ. בֹּא וּרְאֵה כַּמָּה קָשָׁה הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת, שֶׁכָּל הָעוֹזֵר בַּמַּחֲלֹקֶת, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מְאַבֵּד אֶת זִכְרוֹ. שֶׁכָּךְ כְּתִיב: וְאֵשׁ יָצְאָה מֵאֵת ה׳ וְתֹאכַל אֶת הַחֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתַיִם אִישׁ. אָמַר רַבִּי בְּרֶכְיָה, כַּמָּה קָשָׁה הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת, שֶׁבֵּית דִּין שֶׁל מַעְלָה אֵין קוֹנְסִין אֶלָּא מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה, וּבֵית דִּין שֶׁל מַטָּה מִבֶּן שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה. וּבְמַחֲלֻקְתּוֹ שֶׁל קֹרַח, תִּינוֹקוֹת בֶּן יוֹמָן נִשְׂרְפוּ וְנִבְלְעוּ בִּשְׁאוֹל תַּחְתִּית, דִּכְתִיב: וּנְשֵׁיהֶם וּבְנֵיהֶם וְטַפָּם, וְיָרְדוּ הֵם וְכָל אֲשֶׁר לָהֶם. לְפִיכָךְ כְּתִיב: וַיִּקַּח קֹרַח.
(Numb. 16:1:) “Now Korah […] took.” [What] he took [was] his prayer shawl and he went to get counsel from his wife. When the Holy One, blessed be He, said (in Numb. 8:6–7), “Take the Levites from among the Children of Israel and purify them. Now this is what you shall do for them to purify them [… and have them pass a razor over all of their flesh].” [Moses] immediately did so to Korah. [Korah] began to go around all Israel, but they did not recognize him. They said to him, “Who did this to you?” He told them, “Moses. And not only that, but taking me by my hands and by my feet, they waved me and said to me, ‘See, you are purified.’ Moreover, he brought his brother Aaron, adorned him like a bride, and had him sit in the tent of meeting.” The enemies of Moses immediately began to incite Israel against him. So they said, “Moses is king, his brother Aaron is high priest, and his children are deputy high priests! The priest has a priestly offering (terumah); the priest has a priestly offering from the tithe; the priest has twenty-four priestly gifts!” Immediately (in Numb. 16:3) “They gathered together against Moses and against Aaron, and they said unto them, ‘You have gone too far (rb), for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is in the midst of them; so why do you elevate yourselves over the community of the Lord?’” R. Levi said, “At that very time Korah gathered his company and said to them (i.e., to Moses and Aaron), ‘You have increased (rt.: rbh) the burden upon us to be more than the slavery of Egypt. We were better off under the Egyptians than under your authority, for in each and every year fifteen thousand and forty-five of us die.’” Now they wished to stone him. [Therefore] (according to vs. 4), “When Moses heard this, he fell on his face.” Moses said to them, “I do not desire kingship, nor does Aaron [desire] high priesthood. Thus it is stated (in vs. 11), “and as for Aaron, what is he that you should murmur against him?” Moses said to the Holy One, blessed be He, “Master of the world, did you not command me thus (in Exod. 28:1), ‘And you shall bring near unto yourself Aaron [… to serve me as priests]?’ Now they have arisen against us to kill us.” [So Moses] said to them (in Numb. 16:5), “In the morning the Lord will make known those who [belong to Him…].” What does “morning” mean? R. Nathan said, “The Holy One, blessed be He, said, ‘If all the magicians of Egypt gathered together and tried to turn the morning into the evening and the evening into morning, they would be unable [to do so]; but just as I [formerly] separated the light and the darkness (in Gen. 1:4), so have I separated out Aaron to sanctify him in the holy of holies.’” Immediately (in Numb. 16:12), “Then Moses sent to summon [Dathan and Abiram…, but they said, ‘We will not come up.’” "We will not go" or "We will not come" is not written here, but “We will not come up.” (Prov. 18:7:) “A fool's mouth is his ruin!” They opened their mouth for a calamity, by saying that they would die by going down and not going up. Just as they spoke, so did they die (according to Numb. 16:33), “So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol.” Moses said, “In as much as they did not want to come [to me], I shall go to them. Perhaps they will be ashamed and repent.” It is so stated (in Numb. 16:25), “Then Moses arose and went unto Dathan and Abiram.” When they saw him they began to curse and blaspheme, as stated (in vs. 27), “and Dathan and Abiram came out standing (rt.: ntsb).” Does one go out sitting, kneeling, or lying prostrate? It is simply that it is to teach that they went out cursing and blaspheming. As going out and standing upright (rt.: ytsb) is mentioned here, and going out and standing upright (rt.: ntsb) is [also] mentioned in reference to Goliath the Philistine, where it is written (in I Sam. 17:4, 16), “And there went out a champion [….] Then the Philistine drew near at dawn and in the evening, and he took his stand (rt.: ytsb) for forty days.” Just as going out and standing upright (rt.: ntsb) involved cursing and blaspheming in that case, so also in this case did going out and standing upright (rt.: ntsb) involve cursing and blaspheming. Moses therefore began by saying (in Numb. 16:29, 32), “If these [people] die….” And it is also written (in Numb. 16:32), “And the earth opened its mouth [and swallowed them].” Come and see how [harmful] dissension is! As anyone who [even] aids dissension, the Holy One, blessed be He, eradicates his memory. Thus it is stated (in Numb. 16:35), “And a fire went forth from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men [coffering the incense].” R. Berekhyah said, “How harmful is dissension! An emissary of the court on high only imposes a penalty [on people] from the age of twenty years, while the court below [only imposes a penalty] from the age of thirteen years. In the case of Korah's dissension, however, one-day-old babies were burned and swallowed up in nethermost Sheol. Thus it is written (in Numb. 16:27, 33), ‘[and Dathan and Abiram came out standing at the entrance of their tents] with their wives, their children, and their little ones. So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol.’” It is therefore stated (Numb. 16:1), “Now Korah […] took.”
ויקח קרח. לָקַח אֶת עַצְמוֹ לְצַד אֶחָד לִהְיוֹת נֶחֱלָק מִתּוֹךְ הָעֵדָה לְעוֹרֵר עַל הַכְּהֻנָּה, וְזֶהוּ שֶׁתִּרְגֵם אֻנְקְלוֹס "וְאִתְפְּלֵג" — נֶחֱלַק מִשְּׁאָר הָעֵדָה לְהַחֲזִיק בְּמַחֲלֹקֶת, וְכֵן "מַה יִּקָּחֲךָ לִבֶּךָ" (איוב ט"ו) — לוֹקֵחַ אוֹתְךָ לְהַפְלִיגְךָ מִשְּׁאָר בְּנֵי אָדָם. דָּ"אַ: ויקח קרח, מָשַׁךְ רָאשֵׁי סַנְהֶדְרָאוֹת שֶׁבָּהֶם בִּדְבָרִים, כְּמוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "קַח אֶת אַהֲרֹן" (ויקרא ח'), "קְחוּ עִמָּכֶם דְּבָרִים" (הושע י"ד):
ויקח קרח lit., AND KORAH TOOK — He betook himself on one side with the view of separating himself from out of the community so that he might raise a protest regarding the priesthood to which Moses had appointed his brother. This is what Onkelos means when he renders it by ואתפלג — “he separated himself” from the rest of the community in order to maintain dissension. Similar is, (Job 15:12) “Why doth thy heart take thee aside (יקחך)”, meaning, it takes you aside to separate you from other people (Midrash Tanchuma, Korach 2). — Another explanation of ויקח קרח is: he attracted (won over) the chiefs of the Sanhedrin amongst them (the people) by fine words. The word is used here in a figurative sense just as in. (Leviticus 8:2) “Take (קח) Aaron”; (Hosea 14:3) “Take (קחו) words with you” (Midrash Tanchuma, Korach 1).