Rabbi Bouskila writes about tax assessment in 17th century Damascus: a ceiling was imposed on assets that could be taxed, so that the wealthy would not hide their financial holdings. He cites Rabbi Shmuel Vital, a rabbi of the time and place, who hesitated, considering that no action would harm the community, while engaging in the dispute would make enemies.
Bilaam, traditionally, is denied a share in the World to Come. Yet God chose him to bless Israel. How does this make sense? Bilaam said “It is a nation dwelling alone, not reckoned among the nations.” What does this mean?
Rabbi Lewittes addresses the well-known conundrum of this ritual that doesn’t seem rational. She cites the Tosafot which describes the mitzvah of the Red Heifer as something to be experienced rather than explained. She also comments that the ritual burning of the animal destroys any notion of perfection.
Rabbi Lewittes addresses the well-known conundrum of this ritual that doesn’t seem rational. She cites the Tosafot which describes the mitzvah of the Red Heifer as something to be experienced rather than explained. She also comments that the ritual burning of the animal destroys any notion of perfection.
Rabbi Sacks questions what made this trial different for Moses. Why did he lose control at this time and place? He suggests that Moses lost control because he was mourning for his loss of Miriam – his sister as well as a mother figure.
Rabbi Novis-Deutsch questions what was wrong with Korah’s message. Why was it wrong to say that everyone is holy? Yet, Korach’s message really seems to be about asking for his own personal superiority, next to Moses and Aaron, rather than everyone in the community being considered equal. Rather, the message should be that because we are all holy, an individual should not see himself as superior by simply saying that everyone is holy.
Rabbi Dov addresses the problem raised by human nature – hatred towards another. In the case of Korach, he had dynastic heritage, he was born into the nobility of the Levite tribe, and he was charismatic. Yet he wanted what Aaron had, to the point of insane jealousy and hatred. Rabbi Dov writes that it is common for contemporary rabbis, who are well-respected and loved by their congregations, to yet be targeted by a select few who, due to their personal issues of jealousy and hatred, attack the leader.
Korach’s words implied that equality should have been part of the picture, yet he did not actually mean that leadership should not be institutionalized. Rabbi Sacks considers the implications of his statement, assuming that he actually meant what he said. He quotes Gideon, who said that ’neither I nor my son will rule over you, but the Lord will…’. This challenges the concept that the Israelites should have a single, life-appointed leader.
Rabbi Keller reflects that the sages interpreted the problem with the actions of the spies as a perception of their own weakness. Therefore, because they perceived themselves to be weak, they were doomed to wander for 40 more years. He compares it to the “born this way” rhetoric, which implies that “it’s not our fault for being weak”. He suggests that the attitude should be “where are we now?”
Rabbi Barenblat cites the first key theme of the parashah – “raise the lamps”…as in having an Aliyah, ascending symbolically to Sinai. The second key theme is the lights: “going up and shining”. When we left Egypt, we ascended. And God described it as giving light.