…despair was voiced by the one who would become the most revered Jewish leader of all time. Moshe’s leadership challenges are further illuminated by the story of Korach, his chief antagonist. Korach accuses Moshe and Aharon of setting themselves above the rest of the community. Despite his ulterior motives for power, Korach’s challenge highlights a critical aspect of Jewish identity…
…I have found favour in Your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.” Num. 11:11-15 And this was said, don’t forget, by the greatest Jewish leader of all time. Why are Jews almost impossible to lead? The answer was given by the greatest rebel against Moses’ leadership, Korach. Listen carefully to what he and his associates say: They…
…They debate for three and a half years whether it’s better to be born or not to be born and after three and a half years, they come to the conclusion, “You know what? It’s better not to be born. But how many people are so lucky?” [Laughter] Then the Rabbis gave Moses and Korach, or Korach and his band…
…based on the remark Moses made during the Korach rebellion: “I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor have I wronged any of them.” Num. 16:15 Accusations of corruption and personal enrichment have often been levelled against leaders, with or without justification. We might think that since God sees all we do, this is enough to…
…“will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers” (Mal. 3:24). The estranged will be reunited in faith and love. [1] Note however that Rashi interprets the curse as limited specifically to Zimri descendant of Shimon, and Korach, descendant of Levi. [2] See Rashi on Numbers 3:1. [3] Rashi on…
…from father to son. Yet there is a staunchly egalitarian strand in Judaism from the outset. Ironically, it is given one of its most powerful expressions in the mouth of the rebel, Korach: “All the congregation are holy and the Lord is in their midst. Why then do you (Moses) set yourselves above the congregation?” Num. 16:3 But it was…
…(i.e., punished, held responsible) for that sin.[1] Did, then, the idea of individual responsibility come late to Judaism, as some scholars argue? This is highly unlikely. During the rebellion of Korach, when God threatened to destroy the people, Moses said, “Shall one man sin and will You be angry with the whole congregation?” (Num. 16:22) When people began dying after…
…become a truly egalitarian society – or to put it more precisely, a society in which dignity, kavod, does not depend on power or wealth or an accident of birth. Hence the concept, which we will explore more fully in parshat Korach, of leadership as service. The highest title accorded to Moses in the Torah is that of eved Hashem, “a servant…
…so than anyone else on earth” (Num. 12:3). The name given to this is servant leadership and its origin is in the Torah. Lessons in Leadership – Korach: Servant Leadership Core Questions During which part of Moses’ career can we find these key verses describing his leadership style (clue – which books from Tanach are they from)? Were there any…
…criticism of him, of the spies who lacked the courage to come back with a positive report, and Korach who challenged Moshe’s leadership. We read of Yehoshua and Calev, Eldad and Medad, Datan and Aviram, Zimri and Pinchas, Balak and Bilam, and others. That is the context of the claim of Tzelophchad’s daughters. They were claiming their rights as individuals….