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Korach ...item 3.. Korach: Not You Two Again! (Published: June 2, 2013) ...item 5.. The Love-Your-Fellow-Jew Challenge (July 9, 2013 / 2 Av 5773) ...
Image by marsmet548
Korach, you see, is Moses' very jealous cousin. He wants other priestly families to share in the leadership of Moses and Aaron. That is not the issue of Datan and Aviram. We are informed in Numbers 16:1 that they are descendants of Reuben, the first-born son of Jacob.
And if you follow the story of Reuben since his birth, you will see that he was always overlooked, ignored, passed over, and forgotten. The individual, Reuben, as well as the tribe of Reuben, seem to spend most of their time trying to wrest back what they see as rightfully their birthright.
Even in later Israelite history, when ten tribes break away and form the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Ephraim becomes the dominant tribe, and Reuben is once again relegated to the back of the class.
Datan and Aviram are sick of it! They join Korach's band to champion their cause against Moses and Aaron, to finally bring Reuben to its rightful place as the glorious leader of the Jewish People... and no one reading this Biblical story even remembers that they existed.
This week's Torah portion is known only as 'the Rebellion of Korach'; Datan, Aviram, and indeed the entire tribe of Reuben, are once again left as a footnote in the history of our people.
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.....item 1).... A Henchman No More! ...
... TAKE ON TORAH ... takeontorah.blogspot.com ...
A WEEKLY JOURNEY INTO FINDING RELEVANCE AND MEANING IN THE TORAH.
THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2012
takeontorah.blogspot.com/2012/06/henchman-no-more.html
In the movie series 'Austin Powers,' the comedian Mike Myers spoofs pretty much every James Bond movie, along with all of the
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img code photo ... 'Number Two'
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stereotypical plot points that they feature. One of my favorite parodies is the bad guy's right-hand-man. In Austin Powers, this character is called 'Number Two' (and is played by Robert Wagner!), and even when we see a flashback of Number Two as a teenager, he STILL introduces himself as 'Number Two.' It is as if he both has no other name AND was always destined for precisely this profession - being the second-in-command of an evil genius. Two people fill that very same role in this week's Torah portion.
The primary villain in our parasha is Korach; who is so clearly the main antagonist that the entire Torah portion is named after him. Yet as the reading opens, there are actually three people who collectively conspire against Moses. Well, in truth there were actually four of
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img code photo ... Korach
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them initially, but after the opening verse introduced us to 'On, son of Peleth,' he was never again mentioned. A rabbinic story tells us that his wife talked him out of joining the rebellion, which was always one of my favorite rabbinic parables! But the two dedicated accomplices are Datan and Aviram. Many commentaries depict them as henchmen of Korach, or perhaps partners who share his agenda. Yet a close reading of the text actually reveals that their grievance is NOT the same as Korach's. Somewhere along the way, their interests were subsumed and they became stereotypical cronies, just like Number Two in the Austin Powers' movies.
Korach, you see, is Moses' very jealous cousin. He wants other priestly families to share in the leadership of Moses and Aaron. That is not the issue of Datan and Aviram. We are informed in Numbers 16:1 that they are descendants of Reuben, the first-born son of
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img code photo ... back of the classroom
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Jacob. And if you follow the story of Reuben since his birth, you will see that he was always overlooked, ignored, passed over, and forgotten. The individual, Reuben, as well as the tribe of Reuben, seem to spend most of their time trying to wrest back what they see as rightfully their birthright. Even in later Israelite history, when ten tribes break away and form the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Ephraim becomes the dominant tribe, and Reuben is once again relegated to the back of the class. Datan and Aviram are sick of it! They join Korach's band to champion their cause against Moses and Aaron, to finally bring Reuben to its rightful place as the glorious leader of the Jewish People... and no one reading this Biblical story even remembers that they existed. This week's Torah portion is known only as 'the Rebellion of Korach'; Datan, Aviram, and indeed the entire tribe of Reuben, are once again left as a footnote in the history of our people.
One lesson that we can take from the story of nebbishy Reuben is that we shouldn't always listen to the loudest voices in a group. Whether you're a parent, a teacher, a community leader, or a CEO; you probably have some people who make the most noise, complain the loudest, raise their hand the most often, and hijack your time more than anyone else.
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img code photo ... make some noise
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But that doesn't mean that they're the only ones with something interesting or insightful to say. Every perspective is unique, and the quietest, shyest voices can often contribute the most powerful observations. It's easy to miss them. The Korachs in our lives use up a great deal of our energy and attention. Challenge yourself to listen for Datan and Aviram. Block out other distractions, and focus intently on what they have to say. You may discover that the perpetual Number Two has some Number One ideas, and has been waiting a long time for someone to listen. Perhaps their time has finally come.
Photos in this blog post:
1. CC image courtesy of wallygrom on Flickr
2. CC image courtesy of barry.pousman on Flickr.
3. CC image courtesy of Ken Roberts Photography on Flickr.
4. CC image courtesy of Fifth World Art on Flickr
POSTED BY RABBI GERBER AT 11:56 AM
LABELS: APPRECIATION, B'MIDBAR, BIBLICAL CRITICISM, CARING FOR OTHERS, COMMUNICATION, EXODUS, HISTORY, ISRAEL, LEADERSHIP, MOSES, NUMBERS, TORAH, WEEKLY PORTION
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.....item 2).... Parshas Korach 5759 ...
... nishmas.org ... www.nishmas.org/ ...
www.nishmas.org/chassidus/bamidbar/korach5759.htm
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--- The Other Side of the Tzaddik
After three rebellions, (the golden calf, the murmurings {Bamidbar 11:2} and the spies) was exasperated. Humility was the essence of Moshe's being and Korach embodied the husk of arrogance, the antithesis of Moshe's being. Moshe knew of no prayer capable of softening the harshness of Korach's arrogant challenge; this rebellion could only be battled head on.
It is written (Proverbs 12:4), " . . .and jealousy causes the bones to rot." This refers to Korach who lacked p'nimius, inner substance. Everything Korach did was external, for show; so he appeared very just and righteous. Moshe and Aharon were the inner light of the Jewish nation. They were completely p'nimius, an aspect of one character which is often not easily discerned. Yet in Judaism it is what counts.
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--- No Reason for Strife
"Moshe sent word to summon Dasan and Aviram, the sons of Eliav. 'We won't come', they cried. 'Isn't it enough that you took us out of a land flowing with milk and honey (Egypt), just to kill us here in the desert? What right do you have to set yourself above us?'" (Bamidbar 16:12-13)
Rashi says, that from here we learn that is forbidden to maintain or bolster an argument. Moshe sent for Dasan and Aviram to try to make peace with them. Says R' Yitzchok of Vorki (Sefer Ohel Yitzchok), even if the one advancing the argument is a great Tzaddik, a seemingly honest and G-d fearing person, it is still forbidden to get participate. When it comes to argument, strife and confrontation, there is no justification to become involved.
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--- It's What is Inside that Counts
"Moshe spoke to the Israelites and (instructed) each of the leaders to give him a staff for his tribe. There were twelve staffs, with Aharon's staff set in.the middle of them. Moshe placed the staffs before Hashem in the tent of the Testimony. The next day when Moshe came to the Tent, Aharon's staff, representing the tribe of Levi, had brought forth blossoms;buds were blossoming on it and almonds were ripening on it. Moshe brought out all the staffs from before Hashem and let all the Israelites see them, and each man took (back) his own staff." (Bamidbar 17:21-24)
The Rizhiner Rebbe once asked why each of the leaders took back his staff even though it hadn't blossomed. He answered that they, like Moshe, also took them to show the people that they did not blossom! With a great spirit of righteousness and humility, they wished to confirm the message; Aharon of the tribe of Levi, and not one of them, was chosen by Hashem to be Kohen HaGadol! (Sefer Kerem Yisroel)
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--- Walking Together
"Hashem said to Aharon, "You will not have an inheritance in the Land (of the Israelites) and you will not have a portion amongst them. I Myself shall be your portion and inheritance amongst the Israelites." (Bamidbar 18:20)
Try as a person might, ". . . you will not have a portion. . . ". We use so little of our potential that it is nearly impossible to accomplish even a mere portion of what we should in the world. Nevertheless, as long as we are constantly striving and yearning to grow, ". . . I Myself shall be your portion. . .". Hashem will be with us every step of the way!
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.....item 3).... Korach: Not You Two Again! ...
.... aish.com ... www.aish.com/ ...
Home » Weekly Torah Portion » Basic » Blogging The Bible
Korach is joined in his rebellion by Moses' life-long antagonists, Doson and Aviram. Will Moses jump at his big chance to get rid of them forever?
June 7, 2013 / 29 Sivan 5773
by Harry Rothenberg
www.aish.com/tp/b/bible-blog/Korach-Not-You-Two-Again.html
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Harry's Video Blog - Not You 2 Again: Parshat Korach
YouTube
video: 3:50 minutes
Published: June 2, 2013
Parnters In Torah
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.....item 4).... youtube video ... Chill Out Time 68 ... 52:00 minutes ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcYN0z4yO6E
QuasarSt
Published on Feb 20, 2012
Category
Music
License
Standard YouTube License
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Uploader Comments (QuasarSt)
QuasarSt 1 year ago
1. Blank & Jones – Chilled Cream
2. Paul Easy – You Make My Life Better
3. Faruk Sabanci – As faces fade (Domenico Cascarino and Luca Lombardi Chillout Remix)
4. Velvet Girl & Colin Replay – Show Me The Way (Domenico Cascarino and Luca Lombardi Ambient Version)
5. Conjure One - Center Of The Sun (Solarstone's Chilled Out Remix)
6. Andy Blueman - Time To Rest 2011 (Spellz Remix)
7. Dinka - Wuthering Heights (Tribute to Enigma Mix)
8. ATB – Careless
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.....item 5).... The Love-Your-Fellow-Jew Challenge ...
... aish.com ... www.aish.com/h/ ... Home » Jewish Holidays » Tisha B'Av » Jewish Unity ...
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img code photo ... The Love-Your-Fellow-Jew Challenge
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Do your part to repair the damage. Reach out to a Jew different than you.
July 9, 2013 / 2 Av 5773
by Batsheva Hirschman Frankel
www.aish.com/h/9av/ju/97833344.html
Our Sages tell us that the Second Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred – Jews hating other Jews. Just as the destruction of the Holy Temple really began three weeks earlier when the walls of Jerusalem were breached, so too the acts of hatred amongst Jews bring down our people and destroy our souls. I learned about the power of this three-week period of mourning firsthand on a teen tour of Israel decades ago.
There were many profound, moving and hilarious moments on our trip – visiting the Western Wall for the first time and swearing I could feel it breathe, sobbing with grief at Yad Vashem, and laughing hysterically when some guys on the trip, filled with Jewish pride, “reenacted” the raid on Entebbe with shaving cream cans as guns and underwear on their heads as uniforms. But one event, which happened during the three weeks preceding Tisha B’Av, would have the most lasting impact on me.
For some reason, our tour, consisting of teens mostly from Denver, kept running into another teen group from Atlanta that we just didn’t hit it off with. We had met many other groups from the U.S. that we enjoyed and befriended, but this Atlanta group seemed spoiled and snobby. While staying at the same youth hostel as this group, an intense rivalry built up. It finally ended when our “commandos” took the shaving cream cans they had previously utilized for their “courageous raid on Entebbe,” and instead employed them to “decorate” the Atlanta boys’ rooms.
After the din of the victory celebration died down, we heard our madricha (counselor), Tami, weeping. We asked her what was wrong, and in her most heartbroken, pained voice, Tami said, “What are you doing? We are all Jews here. They are Jews, you are Jews. How can you hate each other? Everyone else hates us; we have to love each other. How could you have done this? We are all Jews!”
Needless to say, we all felt ashamed. Her message sunk into my heart and has remained there forever.
I try hard not to be critical of Jews who think differently than me, and my heart breaks whenever I see Jews belittling other Jews.
I learned a life-changing lesson that day, the importance of Ahavat Yisrael, loving your fellow Jew. As a result, I try hard not to be critical of Jews who think differently than me, and my heart breaks just as hers did that day, whenever I see or experience groups of Jews belittling or badmouthing other groups of Jews.
Bottom line, we are all Jews. We are not “Denverites,” “Atlantans,” “Israelis,” “Russians,” “Ethiopians,” and so on. We are Jews. Our level of observance or non-observance, our political beliefs, our customs and traditions – these are all things that tend to divide us. So I want to issue a challenge: reach out to Jews who are not like yourself and find your commonalities.
We can respectfully disagree with Jews with whom we do not see eye to eye without resorting to name calling. Let’s work on eradicating the anger and distrust amongst different groups of Jews. This three-week period is the perfect time for us to reflect on ways to increase our Ahavat Yisrael.
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Think of ways you can reach out and spend time with your fellow Jews who are different than you. It may mean inviting the family down the block over, having lunch with a co-worker, or just saying a friendly hello to your neighbor.
For instance, every year I am blessed to be part of the Jewish Woman’s Repertory Company. The JWRC puts together a professional musical production by women, for women. With members from the entire spectrum of Jewish practice, it's an opportunity to rehearse and perform with Jewish women from all backgrounds bringing us together and creating lasting friendships between people who otherwise might never have met.
So I challenge everyone, including myself, to use this time before Tisha B’Av to focus on the ways we can truly participate in the mitzvah of loving our fellow Jews. Let's do our part to help repair the spiritual damage that has been done. I encourage anyone with suggestions and successes to share them in the comments section below. Perhaps together, you can help me erase the damage of the shaving cream, too!
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