This week we read the famous story of Korach. Korach led perhaps the most famous of rebellions ever, against the leader of the Israelite people, Moses. In the end, Korach is punished for this rebellion as the earth opened and swallowed him up along with all of his followers. His sons, however, who did not choose to follow their father, survived, and from them came many descendants.
Our Jewish tradition teaches us to reflect and to question; it is an almost necessary part of Jewish study and within many Jewish rituals, including the Passover seder (the 4 Questions) and the High Holy Liturgy (asking us to reflect on our behaviors for the past year). When we study we are taught to examine our Jewish text with a chevruta (a study partner) and to question and debate the essence of each passage.
However, this week's Torah portion clearly teaches us that there is an important difference between questioning and rebelling. Korach wholeheartedly rebelled. He went against Moses and the entity of the Priesthood, and for that he was severely punished. Moses was not perfect as a leader, and we witnesses many of his mistakes, but when someone has attained the role of leader within a community, any community, there is a certain amount of respect and honor that must be afforded that individual. Questioning is acceptable and encouraged - outright rebellion is understood as disrespect and simply not accepted.
How often are we in situations when we want to question someone in a position of authority? That is absolutely within our right and responsibility. However, there is a way in which we are to talk to those in positions of authority. We may not agree with the how or even the why of Korach's punishment, but we can certainly understand the lesson our Torah teaches: rebelling against a respected and admired leader in a dishonorable and disrespectful way is simply not allowed.
So go forth. Question. Reflect. Ask. But remember what our Torah teaches - there is a WAY in which we must speak to those who serve as our leaders.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bravo
Our Jewish tradition teaches us to reflect and to question; it is an almost necessary part of Jewish study and within many Jewish rituals, including the Passover seder (the 4 Questions) and the High Holy Liturgy (asking us to reflect on our behaviors for the past year). When we study we are taught to examine our Jewish text with a chevruta (a study partner) and to question and debate the essence of each passage.
However, this week's Torah portion clearly teaches us that there is an important difference between questioning and rebelling. Korach wholeheartedly rebelled. He went against Moses and the entity of the Priesthood, and for that he was severely punished. Moses was not perfect as a leader, and we witnesses many of his mistakes, but when someone has attained the role of leader within a community, any community, there is a certain amount of respect and honor that must be afforded that individual. Questioning is acceptable and encouraged - outright rebellion is understood as disrespect and simply not accepted.
How often are we in situations when we want to question someone in a position of authority? That is absolutely within our right and responsibility. However, there is a way in which we are to talk to those in positions of authority. We may not agree with the how or even the why of Korach's punishment, but we can certainly understand the lesson our Torah teaches: rebelling against a respected and admired leader in a dishonorable and disrespectful way is simply not allowed.
So go forth. Question. Reflect. Ask. But remember what our Torah teaches - there is a WAY in which we must speak to those who serve as our leaders.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Bravo
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