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Korach

27 June 2009

Numbers 16:1-18:32

1 Samuel 11:14-12:22

Rom. 13:1-7

Numbers, Chapter 16:  Rebellion in the wilderness

Moses summons Dathan and Abiram

G-d responds

Doubt was planted in peoples’ minds

Moses interceded with G-d in defense of the nation

He urged the people to distance themselves from Korah because G-d will have His way

G-d creates a phenomenon-an earthquake

Chapter.17: Protest and confirmation

The people were not ready to admit the miracles they had seen

Moses was confirmed as the leader and Aaron as high priest

Moses intervenes again

A new proof of the selection of Aaron, the rod that budded

The fears remain because the rest were not sure of their stance now that Aaron’s family was given exclusive status

Chapter 18:

Aaron’s duties reiterated

Gifts to the Kohanim as a reward for their service and as a sign of public affirmation

Tithes to the Levites as a reward for devotion to sacred service

Moses and Aaron interceded for the people after the people rebelled against G-D and His servants.  However, in this week’s thoughts I want to lean more on the love and compassion that Moses and Aaron showed by their intercession for the Children of Israel instead of the actual rebellion.

We read how these leaders went/rushed before and in between G-D'S wrath against the people.  They stood in the gap for the people.  Today we are dealing with what some say are the times that “try men’s souls” (Thomas Paine).  Within these past couple of years, many people have experienced great trials from the financial chaos that has come to this nation, as well as other parts of the world.  Most of this financial mess has occurred because of greed.

In Ezekiel chapter 22:30, after telling of the sins of the people and the leaders, G-D is asking for a man to intercede on behalf of the people from the wrath of G-D because of sin in the "camp".  G-D is looking for people to stand in the gap, intercede on behalf of the nation, as Moses & Aaron did in the time of the rebellion as we have read in this Torah portion.  They stood between the people and the plague.  They prayed and prostrated before G-D to have mercy on His people.

We all have read or heard in the scriptures "If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Our nation is a great nation, a land that G-D has blessed. We need to stand in the gap, stand on the wall, pray and ask that G-D will heal our land.

Shavua Tov

Rabbi Z.

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