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Biography of Yehuda Katz | Archives | This Week's Parsha

This Torah thought is being dedicated to my beloved father, Nachman Shimon ben Yehuda Meir Hakohan, Z"L.

KORACH

..............................that one not be like Korach and his company...............................(17:5)

In Sanhedrin 110a-b it states the following, "Rabbah b. BarChana said: I was once traveling when a certain Arab said to me, "Come, let me show you where Korach and his party were swollowed up". The Arab went and pointed out 2 cracks in the ground releasing smoke...............The Arab said to me, Listen to what you are about to hear". I heard them (Korach.............)saying, "Moses and his Torah are true, and we (Korach.....) are liars"..........(Please refer there )

A question can be asked, if Korach and his party are proclaiming that 'Moses and his Torah are true', then why is it necessary for Korach to further proclaim themselves to be liars; it seems superfluous ? The answer ,bezrat Hashem, might be as follows: This is precisely Korachs punishment. When a person realizes for all internity that his goals and aspirations were false, this is in deed a terrible punishment. Every person is given from G-d Almighty the opportunity to achieve greatness, this is mans birthright. However, when a person pursues goals which are falsehoods and lies, then he wastes these precious opportunities given to him for nought.....What a devastating realization after a life time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This realization was Korachs punishment................But, how can we know whether we are pursuing the right path of truth? Perhapes the following test will help some what, Will the goals we are pursuing give us honor, or will they bring glory to G-ds name? If our goals are for our own aggrandizement, then we must consider very well the path we are treading on........................................Korach sought honor for himself and forgot about G-d Almightys honor, that is precisely where he failed.........Have a good Shabbos

 


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