Scrollers Preview - Korach 2013

After last week’s disastrous events, culminating in God’s declaration that none of the generation who left Egypt will be allowed to enter the Promised Land, the rebellions continue. This time, Korach and a band of chieftains rise up against Moses and Aaron, saying that they have gone too far, that all the community is holy, and that they have inappropriately raised themselves up above God’s congregation. The result is another disaster. After a test, involving incense and fire pans, God causes the earth to swallow up Korach, Datan and Aviram and their entire families. And then a fire consumes the remaining 250 followers. But this only causes the people to cry out louder against Moses and Aaron and a plague ends up killing off over 14,000 more Israelites as a result.

The parasha continues with a symbolic affirmation that Aaron and his ancestral house are indeed chosen by God. When each tribal chief brings a staff to be placed in the Holy of Holies, only Aaron’s staff sprouts, blossoms, and bears almonds. The last chapter of the parasha then goes on to outline how Aaron’s priestly household and the Levites who guard the Tabernacle will be sustained through the donations and tithes that the Israelites bring.

As we read this dramatic story together this week, with folklorist and storyteller Peninnah Schram in our midst, I think we’ll become aware of the dynamics of folktales. Most old stories have many versions, and the storyteller has to choose which version or combination of versions to tell at a given moment. The Torah is very similar. And in this story, we’ll see how at least two traditions seem to be woven together: one of Datan and Aviram who are swallowed by the earth and one of Korach who is consumed by fire. We’ll also see a feature of much folklore and myth. The “bad guys” are set up against the “good guys” in a battle, and the ending is meant to teach a moral lesson.

The commentaries have a field day with Korach, filling in the blank parts of the story with colorful descriptions of what made him such a bad guy. Most focus on the aspect of Korach of divisiveness – that he divides the people, and that even within his followers, there are divisions. They also focus on ego and the danger of leaders pursuing their own personal agendas for power.

A key verb in the parasha is “vayikach,” which translates as “ to take.” This is the word that opens the parasha, in fact. Korach “takes” or “betook himself” to rise up against Moses. Later during the plague, we see Aaron “take” his fire pan with incense and run out into the midst of the people to stand between the dead and the living, stopping the plague.  One of the questions I’d like to explore is what is an appropriate grasping or “taking” of power, and what makes Korach’s “taking” so problematic in God’s eyes.

Looking forward to celebrating Shabbat with you tonight through tomorrow evening, with Peninnah Schram and with each other, through stories and prayer, meals and study!