Friday, July 1, 2022

CHUCK KOLB

 Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Korach - How to Avoid the Sin of Strife !!!


Previously posted ...
Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Shelach Lecha (Send Forth) - Courage to Take Your Promise !!!
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2022/06/shabbat-shalom-parasha-shelach-lecha.html
Pray Boldly
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2022/06/sermon-pray-boldly.html

 

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world
ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Luke 12:37
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Eph 5:11
The war against Truth has been raging ever since
evil was expulsed from the realm of Heaven.  
God instructed Pharaoh, "Let my people go."
God instructs us, "Let my people know."
Shema Y'israel - Maranatha !
Na'aseh V'nishma   

✡ ✡ ✡
כבוד שם יהוה Baruch Hashem Adonai  

#ShabbatShalom - Welcome to this week’s Torah portion, which is called Korach (Korah).
This is the portion of Scripture that will be read in synagogues around the world this Saturday (Shabbat) morning.
We are certain you will be blessed as you follow along in our study of this week’s portion!

In last week’s Parasha (Torah portion), Shelach Lecha, the seeds of rebellion were sown as the Israelites threatened to replace Moses as their leader. So great was their fear of the giants in the Promised Land, and so great was their unbelief that they would be able to overcome those giants, that they wanted to forsake the promises of God and return to Egypt. In this week’s Torah study, the rebellion continues with the mutiny against Moses’ leadership by a man named Korach, which means baldness, ice, hail, or frost. God hates strife, discord, and division between brothers, calling the one who sows them an abomination.  Prov 6:16-19

You can view this Parasha on our website complete with embedded links ...
Parasha Korach (Korah): How to Avoid the Sin of Strife

https://free.messianicbible.com/parasha/parasha-korach-korah-how-to-avoid-the-sin-of-strife-5782/ 

Are You a Jew? The Answer Might Surprise You
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/are-you-a-jew-fname-the-answer-might-surprise-you/

Mikvah (Baptism): The Connection Between Immersion, Conversion and Being Born Again
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/mikvah-baptism-the-connection-between-immersion-conversion-and-being-born-again/
 
Revelation and Na'aseh V'nishma
https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/11880
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/do-first-understand-later/
We will do and we will listen to all that God has declared. Exodus 24:7


When to Celebrate Yeshua HaMashiach's birthday ...
The Joy of Tabernacles when Jesus was Born
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2019/10/chuck-kolb-10142019.html
How Yeshua was born on the Feast of Tabernacles by Rabbi Isaac

http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/how-yeshua-was-born-on-the-feast-of-tabernacles/

English to Hebrew to English lookup
https://context.reverso.net/translation/hebrew-english/
https://www.doitinhebrew.com/Translate/default.aspx
https://english-hebrew-dictionary.com/
https://alittlehebrew.com/transliterate/  
https://yiddishkeit101.wordpress.com/category/hebrew-word-of-the-day 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/the-best-jewish-words-you-need-to-know/
https://www.brighthubeducation.com/studying-a-language/58611-yiddish-expressions-for-the-holidays/
https://hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Hebrew_Glossary_-_Sh/hebrew_glossary_-_sh.html
A Living Library of Jewish Texts in Hebrew and English translation.
https://www.sefaria.org/   https://dictionary.co.il/   https://www.hebrew-verbs.co.il/
https://www.mechon-mamre.org/
 
Torah Teasers Parshat Korach by Moshe Erlbaum
https://www.aish.com/tp/i/teasers/Torah-Teasers-Parshat-Korach.html

Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Ralph Messer ...
Simchat Torah Beit Midrash - Joy of God’s Teaching and Instruction

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.  2 Timothy 3:16

What Does It Mean to Choose Life? Every decision you make can be made in a way that you are “choosing life.”
The Torah is God’s constitution; it is His teaching and instruction; it is eternal and it is life.
His Spirit is pure Light, abundant with untouchable, supreme, sovereign power.
God is the Source of all life.

קֹרַח  Korach  means “bald.” 
who was from the tribe of Levi, along with the troublemakers Dathan and Abiram of the tribe of Reuben, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Korach was jealous, driven by his own ego.  He wanted to be what Aaron was: the High Priest. Envy and jealousy are extremely dangerous; they lead to destruction and ruin.  In the end, envy and jealousy harm you more than anyone else. You have your own unique task and purpose in this world; don’t let envy or jealousy minimize, diminish, or steal it from you.  Comparing yourself to others steals the mission that God has given to you personally, because your focus is on what they have, rather than what you have.  There is only one you, you are unique, and God has given you the exact tools that you need to be the one and only, very best you.
https://stbm.org/korach/

Arrive a half hour+ early for starting lessons ...
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Learn more about special event streaming when you call our team! 866-867-2488
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https://stbm.org/study-home/  https://stbm.org/rrm-subscriptions/  https://store2.torah.tv/ 

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Todah Rabah - Dr. Gary Hedrick ...
Reaching the Jewish people with the Gospel
https://www.cjfm.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/
Charles Halff - What It Costs a Jew to Become a Christian

https://store.cjfm.org/product/146/what-it-costs-a-jew-to-become-a-christian

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Richman ...

Weekly Torah Study: with Rav Gedalia Meyer
Temple Talk with Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Abba Horovitz
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTempleInstitute/videos
https://www.facebook.com/The-Temple-Institute-22738684968/
https://www.instagram.com/thetempleinstitute/ - https://twitter.com/TempleInstitute
https://www.templeinstitute.org/ Weekly Newsletter - 35 years  
Red Heifer > https://templeinstitute.org/red-heifer/
Jerusalem Lights - Rabbi Chaim Richman
https://www.youtube.com/c/JerusalemLightsRabbiChaimRichman/videos

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Jachter ...
Kol Torah Academy of Bergen County 
Parashat Korach - 2 Tammuz, 5782 - July 1, 2022
https://www.koltorah.org/articles/?category=Korach
https://www.koltorah.org/by-parashah  https://www.koltorah.org/about-us
https://www.koltorah.org/rav-jachters-halachah-files
Books > https://www.koltorah.org/books
From Chaos to Kingship: An In-Depth Exploration of Megillat Rut
https://www.amazon.com/Chaos-Kingship-Depth-Exploration-Megillat/dp/B0B14ZP8N2
Yeshiva > https://www.tabc.org/  https://www.instagram.com/koltorah.tabc/

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Parshat Korach

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/2958/jewish/Korach-in-a-Nutshell.htm
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/default.asp?tDate=7/2/2022  
https://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/month_cdo/jewish/Jewish-Calendar.htm
https://www.chabad.org/calendar/converter_cdo/aid/6225/jewish/Jewish-Hebrew-Date-Converter.htm
 

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz ...  

https://israel365.com/  https://www.israel365news.com/
https://www.israel365.com/about/  https://theisraelbible.com/
https://theisraelbible.com/bible/torah/  https://theisraelbible.com/blog/
 
The Portion of Korach
https://theisraelbible.com/portion-korach/
https://theisraelbible.com/book-numbers/

Back from the Dead? The Incredible Sons of Korah

That was the tragic price that Korah and his group of comrades had to pay for attempting to overthrow Moses.
Sadly, these rebels also caused their wives, children, and even animals to die. It must have been a frightening sight.
https://theisraelbible.com/back-from-the-dead-the-incredible-sons-of-korah/

Israel foils Iranian cyber attack against US power plants
The deputy chief of Israel’s 8200 intelligence unit, “Col. U.,” said on Wednesday warned Washington
of hacking attempts into power plants across the US in time to foil the cyberattacks.
https://www.israel365news.com/270986/israel-protects-us-power-plants-against-iranian-cyberattack/

The 39 Acts Forbidden on the Sabbath
https://theisraelbible.com/the-39-acts-forbidden-on-the-sabbath/
https://theisraelbible.com/the-true-day-of-rest/

Anti-Semitism is on the rise in the United States.
Stand with 100,000+ people who stand with Israel.
https://www.israel365.com/the-israel-covenant/

ACLJ Petition - Jay Sekulow
Stop Biden IRS From Spying on You and Your Bank Account

https://aclj.org/government-corruption/stop-biden-irs-from-spying-on-your-bank-account
 

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DONALD DATES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Trump
Tiffany 10/13/93
Ivanka 10/30/81  
 
Save America Rally in Anchorage, Alaska
Sat, July 9, 2022 - 4:00 pm (ADT) > 8:00 pm (EDT)

https://events.donaldjtrump.com/events/save-america-rally-in-anchorage-alaska
https://savvytime.com/converter/akst-to-est
Events > https://www.donaldjtrump.com/events > https://rumble.com/c/RSBN

President Trumps Full Speech at The Save America Rally in Mendon, IL 6/25/22
vid> https://rumble.com/v19xkar-president-trumps-full-speech-at-the-save-america-rally-in-mendon-il-62522.html (1:05:09)
https://t.me/rsbnetwork  https://rsbnetwork.com/  https://rumble.com/c/RSBN  RSBN
https://www.youtube.com/c/RightSideBroadcastingNetwork/videos

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Good News From Israel - Achievements and Heartwarming Stories
In the 26th Jun 22 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
https://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/2022/06/israels-good-news-newsletter-to-26th.html
http://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/

Mishpacha Jewish Family Weekly - https://mishpacha.com/

Life of the Party
In an exclusive interview, Senator Marco Rubio warns of American weakness in a hostile world
https://mishpacha.com/life-of-the-party/

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Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 20+ years ...  
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION
Israel should declare three nos;
no to nuclear Iran, no to two-state solution, no to bi-national state

NSA To Blow Lid Off Election Fraud
vid> https://rumble.com/embed/v11oipl/?pub=4#?secret=9RCZxPlQvh (1:33) 6/30/22
https://rumble.com/user/DavidEagle DavidEagle
https://www.israpundit.org/nsa-to-blow-lid-off-election-fraud/

Netanyahu’s bogus trial
https://www.israpundit.org/netanyahus-bogus-trial/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/355781

Dr. Vladimir ‘Zev’ Zelenko, RIP
Farewell to a physician, scientist, and activist for medical rights who touched the lives of millions of people.
https://www.israpundit.org/dr-vladimir-zev-zelenko-rip/
https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2022/07/dr-vladimir-zev-zelenko-rip-frontpage-editors/

Trump’s Deal of the Century
This deal originated with Mudar Zahran and Ted Belman.
by Ted Belman (originally published on Oct 17/18)
https://www.israpundit.org/trumps-deal-of-the-century/

JORDAN: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE: The Jordan Option Revisited  
vid> https://youtu.be/ipsJYq2CH7k (41:01) 5/17/22
linx> https://www.israpundit.org/jordan-option-israels-legal-rights-and-compensated-emigration-explained/

The Jordan Option Conference Videos reposted
https://www.israpundit.org/the-jordan-option-conference-videos/
https://www.israpundit.org/jordan-past-present-and-future-the-jordan-option-revisited/

>> The Jordan Option, plain and simple
https://www.israpundit.org/the-jordan-option-plain-and-simple/
>> The Jordanian Option is the only game in town
https://www.israpundit.org/my-jordan-option-is-the-only-game-in-town/
>> The Ultimate Alternate Israel-Palestine Solution by Ted Belman
https://www.israpundit.org/the-ultimate-alternate-israel-palestine-solution-3/
 
Kindly donate to support the work I do
by Ted Belman

https://www.israpundit.org/please-donate/  

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Quest For The Lost Tribes - Full Simcha Jacobovici Documentary
vid> https://www.bitchute.com/video/jbB2ELq4xPw/ (1:33:29) 8/18/19
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simcha_Jacobovici
12 Tribes of Israel: The Shevatim
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3798842/jewish/12-Tribes-of-Israel-The-Shevatim.htm
https://www.jewishvoice.org/read/blog/who-are-tribes-judah

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  In Parsha Korach, 
we witness a rebellion quashed, but murmurings against the leadership of Moses and Aaron continue.  Aaron's staff sprouting almonds amongst those of the other chieftains serves as a powerful image conveying Hashem's selection of the Priestly class and a life of service for the tribe of Levi.  As a tribute to Aaron, our Shabbat Menu this week celebrates almonds. Luckily almonds have tons to celebrate. Almonds contain many healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium, and vitamin E, making them super nutritious. Even though they are high in calories, our bodies don't absorb it all, yet they are pretty satiating, making them a perfect snack and addition to this joyful menu.
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/almond-joy-shabbat-menu/

Chicken Rainbow Roll-Ups
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/chicken-rainbow-roll-ups/

Baked Spanakopita Roll Ups with Cucumber Salad
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/baked-spanakopita-roll-ups-with-greek-salad/

Mouth-Watering Grilled Sides
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/exciting-barbecue-sides/

Easy Grilled Dinners
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/easy-grilled-dinners/

Dairy-Free Meat Pizza (Lahmajoun) - JewLish
facevid> https://en-gb.facebook.com/jewlishbyjamie/videos/dairy-free-grilled-meat-pizza/10158874105318800/
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/dairy-free-meat-pizza-lahmajoun/

Jamie Geller Reunites with Heroic Farmers in Jerusalem
To keep the biblical mitzvah of shmitah   
vid> https://youtu.be/uDwO31572as (36:30) 5/15/22 JG
$180 donations receive my new Farm to Table Cookbook
https://campaigns.causematch.com/SupportOurFarmers
http://supportourfarmers.org
vid> https://player.vimeo.com/video/660942292 (10:42)
FREE Farmers-Guide-for-Produce (7 page pdf)
https://tinyurl.com/Farmers-Guide-for-Produce

Vegan Recipes
https://jamiegeller.com/search?query=vegan+recipes  
Cook the 21 Most Popular Recipes of 2021
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/cook-the-21-most-popular-recipes-of-2021/

This is Where You Can Find Me Most of the Time
JewLish - One People - Many Flavors
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLpomjPnHcZ/
https://www.instagram.com/jamiegeller/
https://www.facebook.com/jamiegeller
https://www.facebook.com/jewlishbyjamie/
https://www.youtube.com/c/jamiegeller/videos
https://jamiegeller.com/


The answer is, it's made with love from Israel ! 
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/my-jewish-food-memories/
My Love Affair With Jerusalem
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/my-love-affair-with-jerusalem/
Lots of 💕 Jamie - Until next week Shabbat Shalom from Israel ! 


Joy of Aliyah 
http://jamiegeller.com/tag/joy-of-aliyah/
https://jamiegeller.com/tag/joyofisrael/
Jamie Geller Welcome's You
vid> https://youtu.be/XO-owES713c (0:35) JG 


Jerusalem Street Food with Jamie Geller Spices
vid> https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CluuvDpk-FSMnt4zj.html (10:56) JewLish   
Machane Yehuda - https://jamiegeller.com/browse/a-haute-market-in-jerusalem-the-shuk/
https://jamiegeller.com/browse/4-israeli-desserts-inspired-by-the-shuk-in-jerusalem/

The Jamie Geller Spice Collection: Now Available Worldwide!
Sending you love and my heartfelt wishes for peace, from Israel.
New Trio of Pilaf Mixes - Mujadara Lentil, Festive Herb and Jeweled Almond
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jamie+Geller/page/55E36343-CF6F-4E88-A4D5-D7C1C0274F7F
https://www.amazon.com/shop/jamiegeller  

Babies, Books, and a Billion Views: My Decade in Review
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/a-decade-in-review/

Best of the Best w Hubby - Family Heirloom Cholent ...
vid> https://youtu.be/Ae2-lQVFsGw (12:01) 8/11/11 JG classic
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/family-heirloom-chulent/
https://jamiegeller.com/blogs/cholent/

Jamie at Aish - Chief Media & Marketing Officer
https://www.aish.com/authors/48868432.html
https://www.aishhatorah.com/
How You Can Make the Future Brighter
vid> https://youtu.be/fclstyB-1rA (2:48) Aish
https://www.youtube.com/c/Aishdotcom/videos

Free Hebrew course Aleph Bet
This entire four-lesson course in 30 minutes.
https://academy.aish.com/course/aleph-bet

The Influence of the Hebrew Bible on America's Founding Fathers
vid> https://youtu.be/jE6Sqh-kezw (7:15) J-TV
https://www.aish.com/jl/h/h/The-Influence-of-the-Hebrew-Bible-on-Americas-Founding.html
Serpents of Desire: Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden. An Introduction
https://www.aish.com/jl/b/eb/ge/48966101.html

Jamie Hanala Geller
https://jamiegeller.com/author/jamie-geller/
Tamar Genger MA, RD
https://jamiegeller.com/author/tgenger/
Titles by Jamie Geller

https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Geller/e/B001JS2GV8/
https://jamiegeller.com/blogs/
The High Holiday Recipe Collection - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/om8u2hvu10jwaeo5xuzi/
The Ultimate Challah - free eBook
https://koshernetwork.ac-page.com/pinterest-challah
Modern Israeli Kebobs - free eBook
https://koshernetwork.acemlnc.com/lt.php?s=a476321cee1a62660d5e43a07fe84c19&i=109A824A1A5341
Join My Way Better Cooking Class with Jamie Geller
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Jamie's Quick & Easy Shabbat Menu App
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/exclusive-jamie-gellers-menu-plans/
https://www.prepear.com/jamiegeller/cookbooks/quick-and-easy-shabbat-menus/
Fresh Families Healthy Meal Plan
https://www.prepear.com/jamiegeller/meal-plans/fresh-families-healthy-meal-plan/
LIVE Series: FEED YOUR SOUL
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/feed-your-soul/


Now Korah, son of Izhar son of Kohath son of Levi, betook himself, along with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and
On son of Peleth -- descendants of Reuben -- to rise up against Moses, together with two hundred and fifty Israelites,
chieftains of the community, chosen in the assembly, men of repute. Numbers 16:1-2

Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Korach - How to Avoid the Sin of Strife !!!

 
Welcome to this week’s Torah portion, which is called Korach (Korah).
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
This is the portion of Scripture that will be read in synagogues around the world this Saturday (Shabbat) morning.  We are certain you will be blessed as you follow along in our study of this week’s portion!
 
Parasha Korach (Korah)
Numbers 16:1–18:32; 1 Samuel 11:14–12:22; Acts 5:1–11
 
"Korach son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites — Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth — became insolent and rose up against Moses.”  (Numbers 16:1–2)
 
In last week’s Parasha (Torah portion), Shelach Lecha, the seeds of rebellion were sown as the Israelites threatened to replace Moses as their leader. 
 
So great was their fear of the giants in the Promised Land, and so great was their unbelief that they would be able to overcome those giants, that they wanted to forsake the promises of God and return to Egypt.
 
In this week’s Torah study, the rebellion continues with the mutiny against Moses’ leadership by a man named Korach, which means baldness, ice, hail, or frost.
 
A Jewish 13-year-old
                          male reads from a Torah scroll protected by an
                          elaborately decorated Torah tik.
A Jewish 13-year-old reads from a Torah scroll protected by an
elaborately decorated Torah tik.
 
The Abomination of Strife and Division
God loves peace and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit)
dwells in peace (shalom).
 
God hates strife, discord, and division between brothers, calling the one who sows them an abomination:
 
“These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: … one who sows discord among brethren.”  (Proverbs 6:16, 19)
 
To highlight this sin, the Scripture portion this week is also called the Parasha of Machloket (Strife), since Korach created division, strife, and disaster within the community through his rebellion, discontent,
and dirty politics.
 
In fact, the name Korach is derived from Korcha, which means split.
 
Open Torah scroll and
                          silver yad (Torah pointer)
Open Torah scroll and silver yad (Torah pointer)
 
With an utter lack of humility, Korach, who was a Levite, rose up against Moses, joining forces with Datan and Aviram, who were from the tribe of Reuben, along with On, son of Pelet, and 250 respected chieftains from the Israelite community.
 
But what charge did the rebels have against Moses? 
 
They accused him of exalting himself over the community:
 
“They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ‘You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them.  Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?’”  (Numbers 16:3)
 
In fact, this sin that they accused Moses of was, in reality, their own sin.  Sadly, many are guilty of such self-deception and projection.
 
It is vital to realize that people often unknowingly judge others for the very sins that they themselves are committing.
 
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”  (Romans 2:1)
 
Moreover, wicked people don't necessarily realize that their deeds are evil, having internally justified themselves that their way is the right way.  This in no way negates the seriousness of that sin, however.
 

Reading from the Torah scroll.

The Genesis of Discord and Strife
Wisdom calls for discerning the underlying motivation of a brother creating strife before making judgments and issuing condemnations.  And this is just what Moses did.
 
Moses knew the reason for Korach’s discord — the dark desire that lurked in his heart to exalt both himself and the Levitical priesthood to the position God had expressly granted to the Aaronic priesthood.
 
Since God Himself had made the priesthood and outlined the duties of the Levites, they acted in rebellion against the authority of God.
 
Moses pinpointed the problem when he said,
 
“Hear now, you sons of Levi:  Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to serve them; and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you?"  (Numbers 16:810)
 
Not too long before their rebellion, God chose the Levites to be caretakers of the Holy Tabernacle — the structure and its vessels — as servants to the Aaronic priesthood.
 
While all Levites serve God, Aaron and his descendants held the special appointment of being able to approach the altar to perform sacrifices. The Kohen HaGadol (High Priest) could even enter the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant stood, a status that would certainly stir some hearts to great envy.
 
Moses pointedly asked the group, “Are you seeking the priesthood also?
 
The Word of God warns us against this sort of self-aggrandizing ambition as it brings with it great evil.
 
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”  (James 3:16)
 
Envy and selfish ambition cause all kinds of trouble in our personal lives, not only at home or at work, but also in congregations and fellowships as those who are neither qualified nor anointed vie for positions God never intended them to occupy.
 
A drawing of the
                          Kohen Gadol (High Priest)
The Kohen Gadol (High Priest)
 
Death and Separation: The Consequence of Strife
“Moses sent a summons to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab; but they said, ‘We will not come up.’”  (Numbers 16:12)
 
Korach sinned by coveting the more prestigious role of the Aaronic priesthood, rather than that of Levitical servanthood.  Unlike Datan and Aviram, he had the courage to confront Moses directly, face to face.
 
During this confrontation, Datan and Aviram seemed to remain in their tents.  They sinned by rebelling against Moses’ authority over them as God’s divinely appointed leader.  When Moses called for them, they replied, “Loh na’aleh (we won’t go up).
 
Ironically, those who refused to “go up” to negotiate peace with Moses ended up “going down” to their deaths.  The earth swallowed them up (as well as their families and Korach's family) alive.
 
“So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly."  (Numbers 16:33)
 
The other 250 in the group, who were offering incense to God and, therefore, elevating themselves to the position of the Aaronic priesthood, were consumed by fire.  (Numbers 16:35)
 
The firepans on which they were offering incense were pounded into copper plating for the altar, a visible warning for the Levites to stop encroaching on the Tabernacle and assuming the responsibilities of the Aaronic priesthood.
 
It also served as a reminder to the community of Israelites that sowing strife, questioning God's leadership, and exalting themselves to positions of leadership ultimately lead to their own destruction.
 
“A worthless person, a wicked man ... he sows discord.  Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.”  (Proverbs 6:12–15)
 
Kotel prayer
Jewish men and children pray at the Western (Wailing) Wall
in Jerusalem.
 
Wisdom and Godly Company: Avoiding the Korachs of Today  
The Rabbis consider this rebellion of Korach the most perilous moment for Israel during its wilderness journey, remembering Korach as the “Torah’s professional troublemaker and the most famous rabble-rousing Jew of all time.”  (Torah with a Twist of Humor)
 
Pointing to the negative example of Korach as a “peddler of hatred,” the Rabbis caution that we should not befriend evil people (al titchaber im rashah).  Indeed, Proverbs 13:20 counsels that “a companion of fools will suffer harm.”
 
This is one of the main lessons that we may learn
from this Torah portion
.
 
King Solomon (Shlomo), whose very name comes from the Hebrew word for peace (shalom), advises us to find wisdom, which prevents us from following wicked, devious people:
 
“Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.”  (Proverbs 2:12–15)
 
In fact, in this Torah reading, Moses warned the people of Israel to move away from the tents of Korach, Datan, and Aviram lest they be destroyed by God's judgment of their sin, as well:
 
“Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be swept away with all their sins.”  (Numbers 16:26)
 
Destruction of Korah,
                          Dathan, and Abiram, illustration from the 1890
                          Holman Bible
Destruction of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, illustration from the 1890
Holman Bible
 
The Apostle Paul confirms this sage advice of King Solomon and the Rabbis:  “Do not be misled.  Bad company corrupts good character.”  (1 Corinthians 15:33)
 
That is not to say that we should not minister to those who are
caught in sin.
 
Yeshua (Jesus) ate with and talked to sinners and social outcasts — tax collectors, prostitutes, adulterers, beggars, and lepers.  He loved them enough to share the Kingdom of God with them and called them to repentance and holiness. 
 
He did not, however, allow their sinful desires and behavior to influence or deter His holy purpose.  And He did not allow any outside influence to taint the holiness of His calling.
 
Likewise, we should not allow strife, jealousy, self-aggrandizement, or any other sin to taint our calling as royal children of the Most High King.
 
And rather than being jealous of the power, prestige, position, or possessions of others, let us be content with what God has given us.
 
“Godliness with contentment is great gain.”  (1 Timothy 6:6)
 
With God as our Father and Friend, we can trust Him to meet our social, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
 
As we'll see next, being humble and gentle are two Godly ways we can avoid strife.
 
Rolling the Torah
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