Korach: The Limits of the Self Made Man Is disagreement a good thing? The Mishnah in the Ethics of our Fathers states: Any dispute that is for the sake of Heaven is destined to endure; one that is not for the sake of Heaven is not destined to endure. Which is a dispute that is for the sake of Heaven? The dispute(s) between Hillel and Shamai. Which is a dispute that is not for the sake of Heaven? The dispute of Korach and all his company. The house of Hillel and House of Shammi disagree hundreds of times in the Talmud. Generally speaking, Hillel was more kind and lenient, while Shammai was more strict and demanding. Yet, Shammai and Hillel's disputes endure. Those disputes enhanced our understanding of the Divine will, as both Shammai and Hillel respected each other and understood that both the severity/discipline of Shammai as well as the loving kindness of Hillel, were necessary. Their disputes were only about the proper balance between the two. While the disputes of Hillel and Shammai exemplify healthy, enduring disagreement, the Mishnah offers a stark counterpoint in the rebellion of Korach. His conflict, unlike theirs, was not merely about different approaches to Divine will, but stemmed from a fundamental opposition to the very principle of a healthy interaction with others The Zohar explains that the original motivation for Korach's rebellion against Moses and Aaron was because Korah embodied the attribute of Gevurah, strength and discipline, whereas Aaron epitomized the attribute of Chesed, love and kindness. Korach was categorically opposed to kindness. Korach was of the tribe of Levi, who rose to prominence by virtue of their own actions, when they alone remained loyal to G-d and did not serve the golden calf; Aaron, by contrast, did not earn the priesthood; rather, he was selected by Divine kindness. Aaron's priesthood was dedicated to inspiring the people and eliciting Divine blessing on their behalf. Korach, the self-made man, believed that inspiration must come from within. It must be self-generated for it to be meaningful. He identified with the attribute of judgment, which advocated giving to each person only what they deserve. No need for a leader who will inspire and share his intense inspiration, creating a community who are invigorated and enhanced by each other. To Korach, if the inspiration is no self generated, if one has to receive it from others, that robs them of their sense of fulfillment and accomplishment, Korach appreciates Gevarh, strength and discipline, because he wants to feel that he earned his own blessing and place in the world. The end of the story is tragic. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed Korach. A Person relying solely on self, who is not open to receive from others, will, ultimately, implode. Creation is inherently imperfect and flawed. We need the sense of owning our success, of being self-sufficient, but we also need love. We need kindness. We need to receive from other people. We need to receive from G-d. Aaron is the model of how we open ourselves to the blessing from above. Remembering that we are not self standing. We are in a relationship. We need not to give and we need to receive. Aaron reminds us to open ourselves to experience the blessing that G-d showers upon us, and to share those blessings with the people in our lives.
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