Parashat Korach: Unveiling the Quest for Power and the Struggle for Spiritual Balance

Parashat Korach: Unveiling the Quest for Power and the Struggle for Spiritual Balance



"1. Now Korah...
Rabbi Yitzchak tells us that if the children of Yisrael had followed the Torah they would not have been exiled, because whoever deals in the Torah has freedom from everything including death. The Torah is the power of the right, and whoever exchanges the left for the right is as if he destroys the world. Rabbi Yitzchak says that Aaron is right and the Levites are left, and that Korah wanted to exchange them in that he desired the priesthood; this is why he was punished. Korah had an evil tongue, he took bad counsel, he chased after something that was not his, and he turned to disagreement which brought conflict instead of peace. The Shabbat is the peace of the upper and lower grades, and by this peace the world endures; whoever creates dissension in this peace will be destroyed." (Zohar - English translation)

"Now Korah...took" (Bemidbar 16:1). HE ASKS: What is the meaning of "took"? HE RESPONDS: He took faulty counsel for himself. If one chases after something that does not belong to him, it escapes from him and he even loses what he has. Korah chased after something that was not his. Therefore, he lost his own and no one else gained. (Zohar- English translation)

The Zohar teaches us that if the children of Yisrael had followed the Torah, they would have avoided exile. The Torah holds tremendous power, granting freedom from all things, even death. It represents the path of righteousness, and those who choose to embrace it find harmony with the world. Rabbi Yitzchak asserts that Aaron represents the right side, symbolizing attributes such as kindness and generosity, while the Levites represent the left side, embodying judgment and boundaries. Korah's downfall was his desire to exchange these roles, coveting the priesthood that was not rightfully his. His actions were driven by an evil tongue, misguided counsel, and a pursuit of what did not belong to him. Instead of fostering peace, he sowed discord and conflict. The Shabbat, a day of rest and harmony, sustains the world through its peaceful essence. Any attempts to disrupt this peace will ultimately lead to destruction.

In examining the story of Korah, we find a deeper lesson about human nature. As beings created to receive, it is natural for us to desire and seek fulfillment. However, the key lies in our intentions. When our desires are solely self-centered, we distort our purpose. Moreover, by coveting what is not rightfully ours, we not only fail to obtain what we seek, but we also risk losing what is rightfully ours.

Consider, for instance, starting a business. It is entirely valid to aim for financial success and personal benefit. However, if our sole focus is on ourselves, the very thing we pursue will elude us, and we may even lose what we already possess. In the world of marketing, there is a fundamental principle: in order to succeed, one must add value. The ultimate goal should be to genuinely help people and improve their lives. Living in a physical world, we encounter numerous challenges and problems, each presenting an opportunity for business. However, our primary focus should always be on serving others, rather than solely enriching ourselves. Therefore, the principle of "right" (chesed), characterized by giving and sharing, should always prevail over "left" (gevurah), representing judgment and boundaries. Korah's attempt to reverse this balance, as described in the Zohar, symbolizes a rejection of the tree of life—the harmonious path of existence.

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