Parshas Korach June 26, 2020

A Taste of Torah Stories for the Soul Take It All In Taking the Fight Out by Nesanel Kipper of the Man The famed historic machlokes (dispute) objects, why should it need an additional During a visit to Eretz Yisrael, Rabbi between Korach and Moshe makes its holy component on the outside? The (1918-1982; Rosh appearance at the outset of this week’s entire Jewish People, argued Korach, have of of Lakewood, parsha. The Torah describes how Korach attained holiness, and don’t need mitzvos NJ) became involved in a public project mobilized various members of the Bnai of this sort, which are meant to connect a which proved to be somewhat controver- Yisrael to join him in his fight. He then person to another realm that he has not yet sial. A certain (Dean) from stood before Moshe and demanded an incorporated. No, argued Korach, every Bnai Brak publicly spoke out against explanation as to why Moshe and his Jew ought to be able to grow on his own, Rabbi Kotler for an extended period of brother Aharon considered themselves with the sanctity he has already obtained time. to be holier than the rest of the Bnai for himself. This logic extended to the Some time later, after Rabbi Kotler had Yisrael, stating “the whole nation is holy” leadership of Moshe and Aharon, as well. returned to the United States, he was (Korach 17:3). Chazal tell us that Korach’s What is the purpose of this leadership, walking in New York when he noticed challenge to Moshe and Aharon included said Korach, if not to create a paradigm the aforementioned Rosh Yeshiva across a litany of arguments that he presented of greatness toward which the Jewish the street. Rabbi Kotler immediately to Moshe. Among other claims, Korach People could strive? Such a paradigm crossed the street and welcomed the referenced the mitzvah of tzitzis, which is unnecessary, as every Jew already has man warmly, inquiring as to why the fel- states that every four-cornered garment whatever is necessary to achieve maximum low had come to the United States. The requires a string dyed blue with techeiles. greatness. Rosh Yeshiva explained that he was rais- He then argued that someone who is Having explained Korach’s reasoning, it ing funds for his yeshiva in Bnai Brak, wearing a garment that is completely made now becomes necessary to understand whereupon Rabbi Kotler insisted that of techeiles-dyed­ wool is surely not required what was, indeed, the flaw in his logic? the man stay at his home in Lakewood to also add the techeiles string. Korach also for Shabbos. The Medrash teaches that when Korach argued that a house which contains Torah argued that the rest of the Bnai Yisrael Rabbi Kotler treated his guest roy- scrolls should not require a mezuzah on were as holy as Moshe and Aharon, ally over that Shabbos, seating him at its doorpost, as the house is already full the eastern wall of the yeshiva during Moshe responded by explaining that just of Torah. Seemingly, these are random prayers, giving him an aliya during the as Hashem created a clear distinction arguments meant to ridicule Moshe’s Torah reading, and talking with him as between day and night, and created a teaching of the mitzvos. if they were best friends. After Shabbos, clear distinction between the Bnai Yisrael Rabbi Kotler sent two students to ac- Rabbi Aharon Lopiansky, Rosh Yeshiva of and the nations of the world, so, too, He Yeshiva of Greater Washington, provides company the Rosh Yeshiva around Lake- created a separation between Aharon and wood to assist him in raising funds. a deeper understanding of Korach’s the rest of the Bnai Yisrael. position. A person who has made great As he prepared to depart from the Kot- Moshe’s response can be understood strides and already lives in a state of kedusha ler home, the Rosh Yeshiva turned to on a deeper level by gaining a better (holiness), argued Korach, should not Rabbi Kotler and asked him to forgive appreciation of the concept of havdala, require external agents to enable spiritual him for the incident that had occurred separation, which Moshe referenced in his growth. This line of reasoning is expressed months earlier. Rabbi Kotler’s response response. in Korach’s question as to why a garment was as calming to the man as it was hum- made entirely of techeiles should require When it comes to spiritual development ble: “What’s the problem? You were cor- additional strings of techeiles. Inasmuch as and growth, there is no such thing as rect!” the garment already possesses the desired remaining stagnant. The Vilna Gaon Despite the aggressive behavior of Ko- quality of techeiles, an additional external states that if one is not striving to rise, rach, Dasan and Aviram, Moshe at- strand is unnecessary – much like the he will inevitably fall. A person therefore tempted to seek conciliation and avoid person who has already attained holiness needs to continuously look upwards to escalating the fight they were looking for. not requiring external elements to foster greater heights, new goals and loftier levels It was only after his attempts failed that holiness. By the same token, a house in his spirituality. he had no choice but to fully respond to full of Torah scrolls should not require a The reality of havdala, separation, ensures their attacks, but his initial response was mezuzah. If the house is already full of holy that there will always be an external model to seek a way to avoid confrontation. continued on back

To receive Torah Weekly by email, email to [email protected] to email email, by Weekly Torah receive To

[email protected] [email protected] www.denverkollel.org www.denverkollel.org

Kollel Community Denver 303-820-2855 80204 CO Denver, Street, Wolff 1395

Harry H. Beren Foundation of Lakewood, NJ, in memory of Harry H. Beren, z”l z”l Beren, H. Harry of memory in NJ, Lakewood, of Foundation Beren H. Harry

The Torah Weekly is made possible through a generous grant from the the from grant generous a through possible made is Weekly Torah The

[email protected].

Parsha Quizzers - Answers email or denverkollel.org visit 1) Bad neighbors 16:1 s.v. viDasan vaya’amod building, the on details and

2) Shmuel can’t save him 16:7 s.v. rav 5) Not for personal use 18:6 s.v. lachem

3) Brings the whole family 16:27 s.v. unisheihem 6) Just like terumah 18:27 s.v. vinechshav opportunities dedication for

4) Infusion of life, not just death 17:13 s.v. or contribute, To community.

spiritual wealth. However, there is positive positive is there However, wealth. spiritual

the entire Denver Jewish Jewish Denver entire the

mitzvos. even or material in it be has, person other

Torah Center that will serve serve will that Center Torah

new heights in our growth in Torah and and Torah in growth our in heights new the what for pining and possesses person

three-story, state-of-the-art state-of-the-art three-story,

a gap between oneself and what another another what and oneself between gap a in each other and constantly set, and reach, reach, and set, constantly and other each in

capital campaign to build a a build to campaign capital

is looking outwards at others, recognizing recognizing others, at outwards looking is May we all merit to recognize the greatness greatness the recognize to merit all we May

The is in the midst of a a of midst the in is Kollel The

kinah , jealousy. The essence of jealousy jealousy of essence The jealousy. , of downfall.

the future of Torah in Denver! Denver! in Torah of future the

utilized in the negative sense, in the form form the in sense, negative the in utilized power, and that is what ultimately led to his his to led ultimately what is that and power,

Claim your part in building building in part your Claim havdala havdala can also be be also can of concept This through negative jealousy and a desire for for desire a and jealousy negative through

havdala havdala havdala , he related to the concept of of concept the to related he , holiness. and greatness spiritual in

TORAH IN DENVER DENVER IN TORAH

more beyond its own existence to strive for for strive to existence own its beyond more to properly understand the concept of of concept the understand properly to

HELP BUILD THE FUTURE OF OF FUTURE THE BUILD HELP

Aharon’s position. Korach not only failed failed only not Korach position. Aharon’s is there that symbolize to item external an

Kohen Gadol Kohen (High Priest), which was was which Priest), (High the needs still it but Torah, of full house the information.

techeiles The garment may be full of of full be may garment The Korach himself had his eye on becoming becoming on eye his had himself Korach and ,

call 303-820-2855 for more more for 303-820-2855 call

This is the error in Korach’s argument. argument. Korach’s in error the is This was equal, our Sages teach us deep down, down, deep us teach Sages our equal, was

[email protected] or or [email protected]

Despite Korach’s insistence that everyone everyone that insistence Korach’s Despite onward.

www.denverkollel.org, email email www.denverkollel.org,

achievement must exist to spur a person person a spur to exist must achievement one’s own great potential. great own one’s

matter the amount. Visit Visit amount. the matter

within, a separate, external vision of greater greater of vision external separate, a within, also strive to greater heights and realize realize and heights greater to strive also

can make a planned gift, no no gift, planned a make can

As much potential as one may have locked locked have may one as potential much As others’ spiritual greatness and aspiring to to aspiring and greatness spiritual others’

for you? Think again! Anyone Anyone again! Think you? for

no desire or motivation to grow further. further. grow to motivation or desire no makes clear the positive effect of recognizing recognizing of effect positive the clear makes

planned giving. Think it’s not not it’s Think giving. planned would be created, where there would be be would there where created, be would scholars increases knowledge. This teaching teaching This knowledge. increases scholars

stability for the future through through future the for stability kinas sofrim tarbeh chochma, tarbeh sofrim kinas plane, a dangerous reality of complacency complacency of reality dangerous a plane, the jealousy of of jealousy the

If all people existed on an equal spiritual spiritual equal an on existed people all If strive for. Indeed, our Sages teach us that that us teach Sages our Indeed, for. strive focuses on creating financial financial creating on focuses

person to aim higher and continue to grow. grow. to continue and higher aim to person that one still has much greatness to still still to greatness much has still one that & LEGACY program, which which program, LEGACY &

for others to follow. This is what enables a a enables what is This follow. to others for is a lofty ideal when utilized to recognize recognize to utilized when ideal lofty a is Foundation’s Live On/LIFE On/LIFE Live Foundation’s

plane than others, who serve as a model model a as serve who others, than plane Torah and mitzvos. This type of jealousy jealousy of type This mitzvos. and Torah

be part of Rose Community Community Rose of part be

of people who are on a higher spiritual spiritual higher a on are who people of and the resultant desire to climb higher in in higher climb to desire resultant the and

organizations selected to to selected organizations

achieved. This translates into the existence existence the into translates This achieved. are greater heights still waiting to be scaled, scaled, be to waiting still heights greater are

The Kollel is one of 28 local local 28 of one is Kollel The

of spiritual excellence that one has not yet yet not has one that excellence spiritual of jealousy, as well; the recognition that there there that recognition the well; as jealousy,

& LEGACY & continued from front front from continued

A Taste of Torah of Taste A

TORAH WITH LIVE ON/LIFE ON/LIFE LIVE WITH TORAH

SECURE THE FUTURE OF OF FUTURE THE SECURE

BUILD YOUR LEGACY AND AND LEGACY YOUR BUILD world.

Due to his financial hardship, Rabbi Rabbi hardship, financial his to Due

business opportunities in that part of the the of part that in opportunities business

email [email protected]. [email protected]. email

he planned on pursuing that and other other and that pursuing on planned he process. the in Shalom

visit www.denverkollel.org or or www.denverkollel.org visit

his brother-in-law in Brazil, and it is possible possible is it and Brazil, in brother-in-law his Neveh of rabbi the as position his lost

this treasure trove of Torah, Torah, of trove treasure this Menashe had a joint business venture with with venture business joint a had Menashe have may Menashe Rabbi that speculation

phone numbers to access access to numbers phone where his brother-in-law lived. Rabbi Rabbi lived. brother-in-law his where is there and reorganized, Amsterdam of

schedule and the links and and links the and schedule Menashe made plans to emigrate to Brazil, Brazil, to emigrate to plans made Menashe synagogues three the time, this Around

in on a phone. For a full full a For phone. a on in Rabbi Menashe ben Yisrael - Part X Part - Yisrael ben Menashe Rabbi

to live classes online or call call or online classes live to Lives of Our Torah Leaders Torah Our of Lives

Meeting. You can tune in in tune can You Meeting.

new classes via Zoom Zoom via classes new

of its classes and offering offering and classes its of terumah Just like like Just family whole the Brings 6) 3)

Not for personal use personal for Not him save can’t Shmuel 5) 2) The Kollel is continuing many many continuing is Kollel The

Infusion of life, not just death just not life, of Infusion neighbors Bad 4) 1)

VIA ZOOM MEETING ZOOM VIA

you figure out where they are? (Answers on bottom) on (Answers are? they where out figure you

KOLLEL CLASSES CONTINUE CONTINUE CLASSES KOLLEL

The six items below can be found in Rashi’s commentary to this week’s parsha. Can Can parsha. week’s this to commentary Rashi’s in found be can below items six The

Parsha Quizzers Parsha Kollel Happenings Kollel