16 Lessons
Parashat Hashavua How to Handle Disagreements
Machloket (disagreement) is an inseparable part of the Jewish experience. Clarifying a matter and listening to the other side – yes! Personal insults and lack of respect toward the person with whom we disagree – no and, again, no!
Korach Preserving the Old, Inspiring the New
Why did Moshe respond so differently with Korah and his gang than with Eldad and Medad? Regarding the latter, he prayed that everyone should be a prophet - yet with Korah, he was greatly angered at the claim that "everyone is equally holy." Why?
Korach To “Go Up” or Not Go Up, and the Land of Milk and Honey
What is the significance of Eretz Yisrael being called flowing with milk and honey? This is the sign of agricultural blossoming in Eretz Yisrael.
Parashat Hashavua Are There Criteria for Rabbinical Judges in Israel? – part II
Last week we saw that in addition to excellence in Torah knowledge, a dayan needs general knowledge, including in languages (Rambam, Sanhedrin 2). In Sanhedrin 2:7, the Rambam says: “And known by your tribes” – this teaches that the spirit of people must find them pleasant. “In what way will they be loved by others? When they possess a ‘good eye,’ a low spirit, they are good friends, and their speech and transactions with people are in a way that is pleasant.”
Parashat Hashavua Korach and Anti-Kere’ach People – Connection or Coincidence?
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.
Korach Not Gaining from the Disgrace of Another
Moshe, in our parasha, and Shmuel, in the haftara, set out important standards for the behavior of public leaders