Korach
Numbers 16:1 – 18:32 

By Jen Smith 

Parshat Korach is a dramatic story of rebellion and ego, of swallowed tents and heavenly fire. Korach, a Levite by birth, challenges Moses and Aaron, claiming: All the community is holy, every one of them, and God is in their midst; why then do you raise yourselves above the Lord’s assembly? (Numbers 16:3). On the surface, it sounds like Korach is a staunch advocate of spiritual equality. But as the story unfolds, we learn that this is more of a power grab than holy protest. 

Jewish mysticism, especially the Kabbalistic tradition, invites us to look beneath the surface of this tale. According to the Zohar, while Korach was right in his belief that all souls contain holiness, he ultimately failed to understand that holiness isn’t homogeneous. Just as each sefirah (divine quality/emanation) has its own unique function and specific spot on the Tree of Life, so too does each human soul have a distinct purpose. Moses represents Chochmah (wisdom), Aaron represents Chesed (lovingkindness), and Korach, though spiritually potent, misaligned himself with Gevurah (judgment and ego). 

From Korach’s pursuit of (self-righteous) judgement we learn that terrible things can happen when we pursue or assume roles that don’t match our personal spiritual gifts. As our great rabbinic tradition teaches, the world is best sustained when each soul tends its corner of creation with humility and devotion. 

Jewish tradition consistently upholds the value of anavah (humility) not as weakness, but rather as strength. Moses is called the humblest of men, not because he thought little of himself, but because he made space for others. Korach, by contrast, filled the room with his ego, allowing no room for other people or opinions. 

For me, Korach is a reminder of the Jewish value of machloket l’shem shamayim, disagreements for Heaven’s sake. Argument is a part of Jewish life, and our Jewish tradition loves debate. In fact, the Talmud is essentially a volume of arguments recorded for centuries!  In Pirkei Avot 5:17 we learn that a dispute like that of Hillel and Shammai will endure even today because the argument is for and in pursuit of truth. The dispute of Korach and his followers lives as a finite cautionary tale because Korach’s indignation was rooted in pride and power, not in pursuit of truth to better understand God’s Divine will. 

In our modern world, we are surrounded by loud voices online, in politics, even in our communities, all clamoring for attention, authority, and control. The story of Korach challenges us to ask: What is the source of our leadership? Our outrage? Our ambitions? 

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, offers a timeless insight into leadership when he wrote that leadership is primarily about responsibility, not popularity. He argued that “Leadership does not mean doing what people want. It means having the courage to do what is right.” 

Korach sought popularity and influence over responsibility or service. Moses, however, led for the good of the people, not the glory of title or power – even when it meant confronting loneliness, criticism, and an immense burden. In our time, we have unprecedented access to platforms. Anyone can “go live” and speak to the world. But Parshat Korach reminds us that sacred influence requires introspective work, humility, and spiritual responsibility.  

Not every loud voice is a prophetic one, and not every rebellion is holy. And yet, according to Kabbalistic teachings, Korach’s soul was not destroyed forever. In fact, there is a midrash that teaches that Korach still sings from beneath the earth that Moses was right, and the Torah is True. But here is my favorite part: Not only does Korach sing Moses’ praise from his grave, but there is also a belief that in the time of redemption, Korach’s energy will be uplifted and used for good – redemption doesn’t even exceed Korach’s grasp! Even the misguided parts of us that struggle with pride, regrets, missteps, and fiery ambition can one day be elevated, transformed, and redeemed. 

This week, let us celebrate the path of Moses; not because he was perfect, but because he suppressed his own ego for the sake of the Israelites, for peace, and for the sake of our collective Jewish community. In a world full of Korachs, may we have the courage to be a little more like Moses.