Korach Numbers / B’midbar 16:1 – 18:32

A comparison between the first parashah of Korach (16:1 – 13) and the second and third parashot of Yitro (Exodus / Sh’mot 18:13 – 27).

Korach – a great-grandson of Levi

            called to service at the Tabernacle

            took men, instigated, and rebelled against Moses (v. 2)

                        included two sons of Reuben

                        included 250 leaders, members of the council, men of 

                        reputation Levitical and civil leaders working together 

                        in rebellion

            assembled themselves together

            accused Moshe and Aharon of “taking too much on” themselves

                        the whole community is holy

                        why do you lift yourselves up above Adonai’s assembly?

            Moshe falls on his face, seeking the L-rd apparently

                        he states that he will let the L-rd choose whomever He 

                        chooses to be near Himself

                       Moshe also tells the rebels that it is they who are taking 

                       too much upon themselves – they have all night to 

                       reconsider

                       Moshe reminds them that they, the sons of Levi, have 

                       already been set apart, brought close in order to do 

                       the work of Adonai and stand in front of the assembly

                        it is not enough, the office of cohen must be theirs 

                        also – it’s not Aharon they are complaining against – 

                        Moshe does not mention their attack on himself

                        the Reubenites – Datan and Aviram, refuse to even 

                        go speak with Moshe face-to-face

Yitro – priest of Midian / Kenite / Moshe’s father-in-law / not a child 

                         of Ya’akov

            observes Moshe’s “typical (?)” day of judging among the people

            advises that If G-d is directing you, there should be a hierarchy 

            in the deciding of disputes

            Moshe obviously concurs and chooses competent men to 

            decide the less demanding disputes

           Korach and others – not remembering the incident in 

           B’midbar 12 when Miryam and Aharon criticized Moshe.  

           G-d dealt with them, and as a result the whole company

           had to remain in one place seven days while Miryam was 

           shut out of the camp

Is it not obvious in this week's parashah as to who is self-exalting 

and who is not?  For thos of us who have read the rest of the story, 

our suspicions are proven out.

Reminds me of Luke 14 – sitting in the lowest place or the seat of honor

Matthew 23:11 – 12 “The greatest among you must be your servant, for 

whoever promotes himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles 

himself will be promoted.”