Politics Doesn't Change Much

The torah portion this shabbat is Korach, in which we read of a coalition of Israelites revolting against Moses' leadership. Politics doesn't change much, does it?

Our section of the triennial cycle is Numbers 16:20 - 17:24. We read of the end of the Korach rebellion (the earth swallowed them up whole), followed by a collection of the firepans with which the rebels had attempted to make sacrifices to God. These are hammered flat and attached to the base of the washstand so that each and every time the kohanim went to prepare themselves to serve on behalf of the people, they'd remember how chosen (and lucky?) they were.

Then the rest of the tribe of Levi rebels against the kohanim, and specifically Aaron. He is proven to be the legitimate leader by having his staff flower with almonds! Oh, snap! It seems that there are certain moments in history when everybody and his brother piles on to topple the leadership. BUt when you have GOd on your side, you have a great chance of prevailing.

Shabbat Shalom

R' David Bockman

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