• Home
  • Parashah
  • Ask the Rabbi
  • Festivals
  • Freemasonry
  • Articles
  • About
  • Books
  • Media
  •  

    Korach took himself

    The death of Korach & his followers

    The sidra opens with a strange word, Vayyikkach Korach, “And Korach took”.

    What he took is not stated.

    Some versions say, “Korach took men”.

    The Targum Onkelos says, “Korach separated himself” – he betook himself to the other side of the situation and mounted a mutiny against Moses.

    The Talmud (Sanh. 109b) says he took upon himself a bad deal, getting saddled with a rebellion which he had no chance of winning.

    The d’rash, the homiletical view, also deserves to be mentioned, that what was wrong with Korach was his character. He was a taker and not a giver.

    He wanted everything for himself, without a thought to what he could contribute to the wellbeing of the community.

    Comments are closed.