parshat Korach

Chazal explain that the significance of Korach’s name is that he made a korcha (lit., a bald spot) in Israel (Sanhedrin 109b), as his people were swallowed up (Rashi ad loc.). The Maharsha explains that his name became korcha in that no one would use it, as “The name of the wicked will rot.” We will explore a different significance and a connection to a much later generation.

In parshas Korach, the kodoshim part given to the kohanim is referred to as a “covenant of salt,” thus providing an opportunity to explain: This is the way we salt our meat

Korach came with two claims against Moshe (Bamidbar Rabba 18:3): Could a house full of holy books require a mezuza? Could a garment that was fully techelet (a shade of blue used in the strings of tzitzit) require tzitzit? Indeed there are two types of complaints that we have been dealing with, generation after generation, and they have broken Israel into splinters and caused discord.