Korach (numbers 16:1)
The Israelite people come dangerously close to
splitting apart in this parasha, as a man named
Korach leads a group of followers to challenge
Moshe and Aharon's leadership. Korah is a Levite
bent on destroying the religious hierarchy set up
by G-d to govern the Jewish nation.
"You have gone too far," he declaims to Moses.
"For all the community are holy... Why then do
you raise yourself above the Lord's congregation
(Numbers 16:3)?"
Unfortunately behind this discussion lurks a grab
for power. Rashi, quotes the Midrash which raises
this question: How could Korach, a wise and learned
person, act so foolishly? What exactly was it that
incited Korach to challenge Moshe and Aharon? Our
Sages characterize his behavior as "shtus," an act
of sheer stupidity. Korach has powerful arguments,
but when one reads the account of Korach's rebellion (Numbers 16:1-35), one is astounded by the incident. Not only was Moses the one who led the Jews from Egypt, but all the Israelites were eyewitnesses to the many miracles that were wrought through him. They s
aw him wave his staff over the Reed Sea, causing the waters to divide. There could be no doubt that he was commissioned by G-d to be the leader. How could anyone question the authenticity of Moses' leadership?
The Midrash answers that Moses had appointed another Levite to be leader of the tribe of Levi, and Korach was envious of this. It was jealousy over the fact that a family relative (who Korach deemed lower than himself) was appointed to a high leadership position.
"Jealousy, desire and pride take a man out of the world." (Talmud, Ethics of the Fathers 4:21)
Jealousy is a very dangerous trait, which can distort your whole view of reality. Jealousy deprives the jealous of the joys of their own acquisitions. This was the case of Korach, it caused him to act so irrationally that he destroyed everything he ever worked for, including himself.
This story also teaches us the critically important role that a wife plays and the extent to which her behavior affects her husband and family. Many commentators have said that the reason Korach became so jealous was because of comments which were made by his wife. Korach had a wife who fueled his resentment and humiliation over his secondary status. Her evil advice, caused the ruination of her own home and led to the destruction of Korach and his entire party. By contrast, in the Torah there is a story of a man by the name of Ohn who was one of Korach's followers. Ohn’s wife advised him not to participate in Korach's rebellion against Moshe, and at the very last second, his wife rescued her entire family from destruction. Her quick action saved her husband from the fate which Korach and his followers endured..
“The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their houses and all the people
belonging to Korach and all of their possessions.” (Numbers 16:32)
King Solomon says in Proverbs (14:1), "The wisdom of women builds her house." On the other hand, of Korach's wife, King Solomon continues…, "But folly plucks it down with her hands." Beause of her evil advice, his wife caused the ruination of her own home and led to the destruction of Korach and his entire party, such is the importance of a woman…
Shabbat Shalom,
Miriam
One of the things that Ohn’s wife did to keep her husband from joining the rebellion was to get him drunk. So a great drink for this time of year is the recipe for Sangria.
Sangria
1 bottle of your favorite wine (red or white)
1 lemon sliced
1 orange sliced
1 lime sliced
1 peach sliced
1 cup strawberries
2 cups ginger-ale
1/2 cup lemonade
1/2 cup sugar
2 shots flavored brandy-apricot,
Mix everything together add ice serve cold with mint leaf.
Special Cholent (Anonymous Creator)
In this weeks parsha, Korach complains to Moshe saying that it is unfair that Moshe gets to be the leader of the Jewish people. He argued that all the Jews are all holy therefore do not need a leader.
One thing Korach did not understand was that every single indivdual in this world is here for a reason. Once we appreciate our own special qualities only then can we come together as group and be unified as a Jewish nation.
A good example,is a human body. A heart must do what the heart is suppose to do, a bone does what the bone is suppose to do etc. If everything in the body does what it is suppose to do, then the body can work/function properly as a whole entity. Such is the lesson we must learn from Korah. We must not allow ourselves to splinter apart as a nation, but we must work together, as the Jewish nation of Klal Yisroel - This is what Hashem expects and demands of us. Anything less is not acceptable and the end result will be as devasting as it was for Korach.
One recipe that reminds me of this lesson is a delicious cholent which a good friend of mine gave me.
In a cholent there are many different ingredients that, when doing what they do, come together to form a whole delicious stew.
Try putting all these different kinds of ingredients together to form a wonderful cholent!
-Potatoes (peel first, cut into bite size pieces)
-Meat (not necessary, but definitely adds a lot!)
-Oil
-Pepper
-Salt
-Paprika
-Crushed Red Peppers
-Barley
-Beans (cholent beans, pinto beans,whatever you can
find)
-BBQ sauce
-Ketchup
-Onion Powder
-Garlic Powder
-Onions
-When finished with the above, cover with water.
Keep it on low...let it cook over night so it all will come together and enjoy it for Shabbos :)
(Feel free to add whatever you would like, and as much/or as little as you would like)
Summertime Vegetable Gazpacho
1 cup peeled finely diced cucumber
1 cup seeded green, red and or yellow pepper
1 cup seeded and diced tomato
1 cup diced red onion
1 15 oz.can diced tomatoes with juice ( salsa or italian style)
1 cup finely diced chives
2 cloves garlic diced finely
1 tabl. balsamic vinegar
2 tabl. cilantro chopped
2 tabl. freshly chopped basil
1 jalepeno chopped (optional)
2 tabl. olive oil
Mix together all ingredients take 3/4 and puree it and add
to rest of vegetables serve cold. Can make a day or two ahead. Serve with crusty bread or crackers.
Barbecued Chicken
For even more flavor, try marinating the chicken in the glaze before doing the grilling.
1 6-ounce can frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup catsup
1/4 cup dijon mustard
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
1 3-pound chicken, cut into 4 pieces
Vegetable oil
Combine everything but the chicken and oil in heavy small saucepan. Cook the sauce over a medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Prepare the grill to a medium-high heat. Brush the chicken with the oil. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Grill until chicken is almost cooked through, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes. At this point brush the chicken with the glaze and continue basting and grilling until chicken is tender and cooked through turning occasionally, about 10 minutes longer. Serves 4
