Parshas Korach June 11, 2021

A Taste of Torah Stories for the Soul Blurred Vision Timing is Everything by Yosef Melamed Rabbi Shneur Kotler (1918 – 1982), Dean In this week’s parsha, Korach famously the development of one’s beliefs and of in Lakewood, incites a revolt against Moshe and principles, which shape one’s viewpoint once traveled to New York to attend a Aharon in an attempt to gain the and perspective for all events that one wedding. He had an important meeting position of Kohen Gadol (High Priest) encounters. scheduled later that evening, and he asked instead of Aharon. The Medrash Therefore, when the verse instructs us his driver to please wait for him at the exit (Bamidbar Rabba 18:3) discusses the to make the right choices in life, it uses immediately following the chupah (marriage connection between this week’s parsha, ceremony) so that they would be able to the language of “see,” to stress that it is depart promptly. which discusses Korach and his revolt, not enough to strive to make the right and last week’s parsha, which ended with choices at the time one is confronted Following the chupah, though, Rabbi Kotler the commandment of wearing tzitzis. told his driver that he would be staying at the with a challenge. Rather, one must live at wedding a bit longer than he had originally Rabbi Chaim Friedlander (1923-1986) all times with the realization that keeping planned. A short time later, he changed his makes an observation which provides the Torah is eternal life and neglect of the plans again, and informed his driver that he an additional, beautiful answer to this Torah is spiritual death. We must work would remain for the entire wedding and question. Later, in the Book of Devarim on ourselves to develop Torah attitudes had rescheduled the subsequent meeting (30:15), Moshe states, “See I have placed and beliefs that guide us all the time, for a different day. before you today life and the good, and even before we are confronted with the To the surprised driver he offered the death and the bad.” This verse teaches challenges of life. Doing so will enable following explanation: “Although the the need to recognize that doing mitzvos, us to “see” and view the situations that meeting was quite important, something the good, is life, and doing aveiros (sins), confront us with a Torah-true outlook, occurred at the wedding which was even the bad, is synonymous with spiritual which will make doing the right thing all more important and required my presence. death. Obviously, one’s job is to choose the more likely. I did not receive a bracha (blessing) underneath the chupah. Although it did good over bad and life over death. Rabbi Rashi, citing a Medrash (Bamidbar Friedlander points out that the language not bother me in the least, I was concerned Rabba 18:8), teaches that Korach, who that somebody might misinterpret my of the verse is not “understand that I have was a very smart person, was well aware early departure as an indication that I felt placed before you,” but “see that I have of the risk in his battle against Moshe slighted. I realized that this could lead to placed before you.” Why is the term “see” and Aharon; Moshe had told Korach and tension and possibly even an argument used here in the context of the realization his followers that only one person would between the father of the groom and the of the truth and goodness inherent in survive offering the ketores that they father of the bride as to who was responsible doing mitzvos and the destruction and wished to bring. That person ended up for this oversight. So I decided to stay, first detriment caused by committing a sin? being, of course, Aharon the Kohen Gadol. for a short time, and then for the entire Rabbi Freidlander explains: We are Nonetheless, despite his great intellect, wedding, in order to be absolutely sure confronted in life with many free will Korach convinced himself that the one that nobody could possibly think that I had decisions: Should I do this mitzvah? survivor would be him. This error, says been offended.” Should I abstain from that activity? It the Medrash, came because Korach was Rabbi Kotler then concluded: “Of all the may seem that the struggle of making fooled by his eyes. The Medrash explains important tasks that we must accomplish in our lives, none are more important than the right choice begins only at the time that Korach had a prophetic vision of a shalom. Promoting peace between people one is confronted with the different chain descending from himself which and avoiding any strife and machlokes possibilities of action. However, in truth, eventually led to the great prophet (dispute) overrides everything else. That is one’s free will struggle began a long time Shmuel (Samuel), who was, in certain why I cancelled my meeting tonight – in before. This is because the struggles one ways, the spiritual equal of Moshe and order to ensure that a machlokes would be faces right now are not only dependent Aharon. Korach was confident that since avoided.” on the circumstances of the moment, he was to produce such an illustrious Our Sages teach that Korach was guilty of but also on how one views and relates descendant, he must be destined to instigating a machlokes. Despite Korach’s to those circumstances. And the way survive, indicating that his fight was view that his cause was justified and moral, one views current circumstances is correct and valid. However, Korach was he was swallowed by the ground for his dependent on past decisions regarding mistaken in his understanding of his efforts. continued on back Happenings Halacha Riddles Last week’s question: How could one’s a new bracha would be required upon SUMMER NIGHT SEDER FOR intention when falling asleep affect the awakening. This is true only for an BACHURIM BEGINS NEXT need for a bracha on food? actual sleep; a short doze would never WEEK Answer: If a person was eating and fell necessitate a new bracha. (Shulchan The Kollel’s Summer Night asleep in middle, there may be a need Aruch Orach Chaim 178:7 with Mishna Sder for Bachurim begins to recite a new bracha upon awakening Berura 48; see also The Laws of Brachos by Rabbi Binyomin Forst pg. 179 fn. 48). Sunday night. Boys who are if he wishes to continue eating. If the out of school join the Kollel’s person unintentionally fell asleep, no This week’s question: How could hand night seder. Refreshments new bracha is necessary. If, however, washing require another hand washing? available. A weekly stipend the person intentionally went to sleep, is available for those who attend consistently. Contact Lives of Our Torah Leaders Rabbi Mordechai Fleisher, Rabbi - Part III [email protected] for more details. Young Meir gained a reputation for grandfather, Rabbi Shmuel Yitzchak being exceptionally bright, and was Schor, author of the well-known work SPRING-SUMMER AVOS referred to as the Shatzer Ilui (genius). In Minchas Shai. He also studied with UBANIM ON SHABBOS addition to his regular studies at cheder Rabbi Shulem Moshkovitz, the Shatzer AFTERNOON (school), he studied with his illustrious Rebbe. The Kollel’s spring-summer Avos Ubanim program A Taste of Torah continues this Shabbos continued from front afternoon at the Kollel Torah vision, and the true meaning of his vision the eyes to interpret things in a way which Centers in West Denver and was that Shmuel would descend from his promotes what the heart desires. Southeast Denver. Learning sons, who eventually did teshuva, while This provides additional meaning to begins one hour before Korach himself would perish. the connection between the story of mincha, followed by nosh and Rabbi Friedlander explains that the Korach and the mitzvah of tzitzis, because prizes. The month of Tammuz Medrash is teaching that even a prophetic Korach’s downfall came about through is sponsored by Reb Moshe vision can be misunderstood when his mistaken vision and understanding of Berkowitz in memory of his it’s blurred by the preexisting desires his future destiny, which was borne out of father, Reb Moshe ben Reb and mindset of the viewer. In this case, his desire for honor. Aryeh Leib. Thank you, as well, Korach’s desire for honor led him to view Rabbi Friedlander gives the following to Denver Human Services a prophetic vision as support for his revolt, eye-opening example of how a person’s which ultimately led to his downfall. for their partnership in this previous attitude can shape his attitude program. For sponsorships The mitzvah of tzitzis, as explained by the to current events: Someone who observes Gemara (Menachos 43b; see Rashi there), the persecution of the Jews throughout and more info, email info@ is intended to help us realign our vision the ages can look at the situation and see denverkollel.org. and perception of the circumstances a challenge to the power of Hashem and MILE HIGH TORAH PODCAST we experience to be consistent with His hashgacha (supervision). However, FROM THE KOLLEL fulfillment of the Torah. When we see the another observer will look at this blue techeiles thread of the tzitzis, it reminds situation and wonder, “How can it be A wide variety of Kollel classes us of the sea, which in turn reminds us of that a nation so persecuted and oppressed and short, inspiring Torah the sky, which reminds us of Hashem’s survived over two thousand years of exile thoughts are now available throne of glory and helps us strengthen when other, stronger and prominent on many podcast platforms the realization that Hashem sees all of nations disappeared off the face of earth?! such as Spotify, Google our actions and doings. Additionally, the This miraculous existence is the greatest Podcasts, Apple Podcasts and verse by tzitzis (Bamidbar 15:39) warns us testament to G-d’s power and supervision Amazon Music. You can also “and you shall not stray after your heart of the world.” access the latest podcasts at and after your eyes.” This indicates that Let us take this lesson to heart and realize the Kollel’s website, www. straying after one’s eyes is a product of the impact of our attitudes and viewpoints denverkollel.org. straying after one’s heart. One’s already- not only for the past, but also how we view developed attitudes and wants will lead and react to circumstances in the future!

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