The Bottles Stand As Empty Now, As They Were Filled Before (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Ship of Fools"

A Canadian acquaintance of mine used to be a huge fan of President Trump. He had a “Make America Great” hat and everything.  When I asked why he was such a fan, his answer was similar to approximately 40% of Americans, “because he says what’s on everyone’s mind but no one has the nerve to say.”  We met for coffee this week and I asked him if he thought the Canadian Prime Minister “had a special place in hell” because he called the President out on the ridiculous misrepresentations of tariffs and trade with the United States. I asked him if he was still a fan of the U.S. President who recently threatened the Prime Minister and Canada by saying that if the Prime Minister continues doing what he is doing the Canadian people will suffer. I asked my friend if he thought that the North Korean leader was a smart, great guy, whom the President is looking forward to having to the White House. He sheepishly smiled and explained that he honestly did not think that it was possible for a President to screw up the U.S / Canadian relationship. I reminded him that the relationship is stronger than a Donald Trump “tweet” or two. However, it is troubling to think of all the serious issues that need to be dealt with, and this President  creates a problem, spreads emptiness, antipathy and mistrust because he can, because it provides a sense of empowerment.

This week we read from Parsha Korach.  Korach was a relative of Moshe's. They both came from the tribe of Levi. Korach questioned Moshe's authority eventually leading a rebellion. Korach did question Moshe’s authority in a private meeting between individuals. Rather, Korach gathered 250 supporters, and then publicly challenged Moshe. Moshe tried to keep peace within the community, but to no avail. A divine test is administered, and Korach and his supporters fail. The earth swallows them up. However God is angry and a plague falls upon the people. They are communally punished for Korach's actions, their passive support, and their failure to bond together against Korach. Yet the people are still not convinced that Moshe and Aharon should remain in charge, only that Korach was unworthy. So a second divine test is administered this time with 12 rods stuck in the ground and almond branches resulting in Aaron’s staff, thus symbolizing that God has chosen Aharon to be the Kohen Gadol.  The Parsha concludes with God speaking to Aharon, and re-iterating his obligations in terms of the Mishkan, the Altar, and the Tent of the Meeting.

The Torah portion begins in rather innocuously, much like many rebellions. VaYikach Korach ben Yitzhar Ben Kahat ben Levi v’ Datan V’Aviram B’nai Eliav V’On ben Pelet Bnai Reuven – Korach son of Itzhar son of Kohath son of Levi took Datan and Aviram.  Korach “took” these men? Where did he “take” them? Rashi, the 11^th- century French commentator, offers an explanation based upon the Midrash Tanchuma (a fifth century compilation of rabbinic commentary). Rashi points out that VaYiKach he took - suggests that there should be a direct object. Since there is no direct object, Lakach Et Atzmo LTzad Echod – he [Korach] took himself off to one side or separated himself from the rest of the Leviim. By definition, a rebellion is a means of separating oneself from authority or accepted norms. The name Korach coming from the three lettered root of Kuf (K) – Resh (R) and Chet (Ch) means to make something empty or bald. KoRaCh’s rebellion against Moshe was not an attempt to create a better more efficient form of governance. Instead, KoRaCh’s rebellion was an attempt to elevate his own stature. He gathers leaders from other tribe, tribes that were geographically near him that heard his complaints. He didn’t have the support of other Leviim.  Korach was the first great “disruptor”, challenging Moshe’s authority and the institutions that he helped to establish in order to keep B’nai Yisroel safe from all those threatening societies.  

As my friend and I finished up our coffee; I told him to read the Tuesday June 12^th NY Times column by David Brooks, a politically conservative observant Jew.  Just last week, we commemorated D-Day, and the generation that created the post war institutions that saved the world and saved democracy. Over the past year, Brooks explains, we have watched the President, as well as leaders from Russia, Turkey, Poland and all the nationalist movements weaken these Post-War institutions that has kept much of the world safe, lawful and democratic.  Brooks points out that these highly nationalistic despotic oriented leaders are very different than those that saved the world from Hitler’s Germany. They are intent on fanning mistrust, spreading an emptiness of their world view in which there is no greater good than one’s own self- aggrandizement. Who knew that they were all taking a page from Korach?

Peace,

Rav Yitz