Parasha Korach (קרח) — Bamidbar 16:1 – 18:32. Read on Shabbat, July 10, 2027.
Summary of Parasha Korach
Korach son of Yitzhar, of the tribe of Levi, joins forces with Datan and Aviram, of the tribe of Reuven, together with two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation. They challenge the authority of Moshe and Aharon: “The entire congregation is holy; why do you raise yourselves above the congregation of G-d?” Moshe proposes a test: the next day, each man will bring a fire pan, and G-d will make known whom He has chosen. Datan and Aviram refuse to come and speak with Moshe. The earth opens and swallows Korach, Datan, Aviram, their families and their possessions; a fire goes forth and consumes the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense. Their fire pans are made into plates to cover the altar, as a remembrance. The next day, the people complain against Moshe and Aharon; a plague breaks out. At Moshe’s instruction, Aharon takes the incense, stands between the dead and the living, and the plague stops. To confirm the choice of Aharon, each tribe places a staff in the Tent of Meeting; the next day, Aharon’s staff has blossomed and produced almonds. It is kept before the Testimony. The parasha then defines the responsibilities of the kohanim and the Levites, the gifts due to the kohanim, and the tithe given to the Levites, who receive no portion in the land; they in turn set aside a tithe of that tithe for the kohanim.
The Themes
- Korach’s rebellion
- Aharon’s staff that blossoms
- The gifts to the kohanim
Rav Raphaël Benizri’s Lectures on Korach
There are no lectures by the Rav on this parasha yet. All available lectures can be found on the Weekly Parasha page.
A Question for the Shabbat Table
How can we distinguish justified criticism, which moves things forward, from a challenge driven by jealousy?
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Summary by the Pensées Juives editorial team. The Rav’s teachings are found in his lectures, linked above.