Korah was a rebel. He led a rebellion against God and Moses, and lost. He picked the wrong leader and authority to challenge. In the end, Torah explains that Korah lost because his lack of faith in God proved him to be a weak threat. That’s not to say that perfect faith would have enabled him to win in his battle against God and Moses. There are other leaders in Torah who questioned God’s authority and lived to tell the story. The earth didn’t swallow up Abraham when he argued on behalf of the innocents in Sodom and Gomorrah, and Moses wasn’t consumed by fire when he became incensed with the Israelites before God. What’s the difference, then, between Korah and Abraham and Moses?
The difference is their faith. Korah had none. He stood outside the boundaries of a community of faith and dared to overthrow its rulers and its mission. The earth that opened to swallow him up was a remarkable event and a demonstration of the line that divided Korah from the people and their God. Abraham stood up against God, too, but not to overthrow God or to steer the people in his own direction. Rather, Abraham defended the few people who remained innocent and deserved to be saved from destruction. And, while Moses was a faithful servant who knew God “face-to-face” he was, nevertheless, a “kvetch” (a complainer). Not unlike the people he led, he came to God to plead for help, for God’s guidance, for God’s patience, and finally, God’s mercy. So, why didn’t God replace Moses with a more compliant and less complaining man? Moses was a man of faith. He labored to discover truth and wisdom within the framework of a sacred community that was in formation. He didn’t abandon the people; he demanded their submission to God’s will. For himself, he learned that while God’s love is unconditional, God’s patience is not. Moses was rewarded and he was punished. When we reach the end of Torah, we know that he will not enter the Promised Land; but he will be recalled by generations after him as “the greatest prophet who ever lived.”
Living within boundaries is more than complying with the norms they represent. It also means applying pressure to those boundaries to clarify truth and wisdom. Abraham did it. Moses did it. Korah did not do it. Do you? Do I?
Let’s consider the sacred boundary of marriage. Within it we live and love, and we’re supposed to keep living and loving for a lifetime. But, if a marriage doesn’t include faith in the boundary of marriage then it will disintegrate when it’s tested. However, if faith in the boundary is present, then it will withstand the pressure of disagreements and the joys and sorrows of life.
Let’s consider Judaism, today. To doubting Jews, young and old, I have often said, “Ask, doubt, and question, but do so within the boundaries of Judaism. Faith in one God, or even the possibility of God (for those who are uncertain), will sustain any pressure you apply to Jewish boundaries. The result: Your Judaism will deepen.” Abraham and Moses are models of faithful challengers. Korah, on the other hand, well, let’s just say he couldn’t “fathom” Judaism.
The boundaries of Judaism are durable. Push on them with all your heart, and soul, and might, and discover what you can know. At a minimum, the resistance exercise will keep you sharp and strong. This summer, read a Jewish book, attend Shabbat Summer services in Levit Hall at 6:30pm, go to Torah study on Shabbat morning at 9:45am, and make Shabbat blessings at home with family or friends. After Shabbat, I will be leaving for some vacation. I look forward to sharing more personal emails with you the first week of August.
From my desk to yours, a very healthy and cool summer, and the very best for a Shabbat Shalom.
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