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KORACH
Numbers
16:1-18:32
Isaiah 66:1-24
Romans 13:1-7
This
week we read the Parashah of Korach. Also this week, the normal reading of
the Haftorah is to be 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22. But since this weekend is a
Rosh Hodesh New Moon), we read from Isaiah 66 instead.
Complaining means to express
pain, displeasure, etc; to find fault; to make an accusation or a formal
change. There were people who complained or challenged the leadership of
Moshe.
Korach was the leader of the
rebellion. He was a Levite from the tribe of Reuben, first born of Jacob.
Dathan, Abiram, and 250 others stood with Korach. These were the ones who
complained that Moshe and Aaron took too much power upon themselves.
This rebellion was from fear
of hunger or starvation. The mis-perception of the reality of the freedom
they received caused them to have a feeling of a seemingly insecure life
in the wilderness. This gradually worsened as the Children of Israel made
plans to go back to Egypt, lest they die in the wilderness (Numbers 11).
They cried out for the
“free” Egyptian fish (Luke 9:26). Their complaints refer to Egypt in the
same way the Lord referred to the Promised Land; saying that they were not
brought to a land flowing with milk and honey, but taken away from such a
land and brought into the wilderness (Numbers 16:13).
Something new and
unprecedented occurred. A complete reversal of values came over them.
Calling black white and white black. Slavery termed as freedom. Desire for
the land of uncleanness, Egypt, is exchanged for desire for the Holy Land
of G-d. This became a symbol for all time to these who, while in the lands
of their dispersion, proclaim, “Here is our Jerusalem.”
What does G-d say about
complaining? G-d’s people are commanded not to complain (Philippians
2:14). It is a sin. Complaining gives evidence of unbelief, lack of
gratitude toward G-d. We would truly be grateful if we give thanks always
for all things (Ephesians 5:20).
The best way to overcome a
complaining spirit is to accept G-d’s will by faith and thank Him for His
goodness, even if we do not see anything good happening, yet! Let us claim
Romans 8:28 as our own:
And we know that all things
G-d works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called
according to His purpose.
Shavua Tov
Rabbi Z.
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