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GOOD MORNING! This week's Torah portion, Korach, is about disputes created for one's personal gain though they are disguised in philosophic terms and in seemingly lofty values. Disputes are destructive in relationships and especially in marriages. Discussions are productive! I thought it might be of some help to someone to share some ways to avoid arguments, particularly with one's spouse!
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Torah Portion of the Week
Korach
___There are two rebellions this week. First, Korach, a Levite who was passed over for the leadership of his tribe, challenges Moshe over the position of High Priest. No good rebellion can be "sold" as a means for personal gain, so Korach convinces 250 men of renown that they must stand up for a matter of principle - that each and every one of them has the right to the office of High Priest (which Moshe had announced that God had already designated his brother Aharon to serve).
___Fascinatingly, all 250 followers of Korach accept Moshe's challenge to bring an offering of incense to see who God will choose to fill the one position. This meant that every man figured he would be the one out of 250 to not only be chosen, but to survive the ordeal. Moshe announces that if the earth splits and swallows up the rebels it is a sign that he (Moshe) is acting on God's authority. And thus it happened!
___The next day the entire Israelite community rises in a second rebellion and complains to Moshe, "You have killed God's people!" The Almighty brings a plague which kills 14,700 people and only stops when Aharon offers an incense offering.>
___To settle the question once and for all, Moshe has the head of each tribe bring a staff with his name on it. The next morning only Aharon's staff had blossomed and brought forth almonds. The people were shown this sign. Aharon's staff was placed in front of the curtain of the ark as testimony for all time.
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Dvar Torah
___This week's Torah portion tells the story of Korach's dispute with Moshe (see above, the Torah Portion, section for details!). The Mishna (a teaching) in Pirke Avot 5:20 (Ethics of the Fathers - a book of concise Jewish wisdom available from your local Jewish book store or by calling toll-free 877-758-3242), states
:
"Any dispute that is for the sake of Heaven will be of lasting worth and one not for the sake of Heaven will not be of lasting worth. Which dispute was for the sake of Heaven? That of Hillel and Shamai. Which was not for the sake of Heaven? That of Korach and his company." |
___The Mishna should have said that the dispute not for the sake of Heaven was that of Korach and Moshe, not between Korach and his fellow conspirators! Why didn't the Mishna mention Moshe as the antagonist? Korach started the dispute for his own personal gain (not for the sake of Heaven) while Moshe was upholding the Almighty's word and the Almighty's honor (you can't get more "for the sake of Heaven" than this!)
___Why then does the Mishna mention that a dispute not for the sake of Heaven is the one between "Korach and his company"? We might think that Korach and his company were united in their argument with Moshe. The Mishna is telling us that each of the 250 was challenging Moshe for his own gain (remember each one brought incense to see if he himself would be chosen as the Cohen Gadol, High Priest.) In truth, Korach and his congregation were in dispute amongst themselves as to who should be the High Priest.
CANDLE LIGHTING - June 15
(or go to http://www.aish.com/shabbat/candlelighting.asp)
Jerusalem 7:11
Guatemala 6:14 - Hong Kong 6:51 - Honolulu 6:56
J'Burg 5:04 - London 9:01 - Los Angeles 7:48
Melbourne 4:49 - Mexico City 7:58 - Miami 7:56
New York 8:11 - Singapore 6:53 - Toronto 8:42
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
Treat others as you would have them treat you ...
if they had better sense!
-- Earl Pertnoy
In Honor of the Marriage of Kalman & Racheli Lebovics |