בס״ד ֹק רַ ח KORACH

In loving memory of Yisrael Shmuel ben Yirmaya Yehoshuah z"l

Volume 34 | #34 “Behold! The staff of Aharon of the house of 12 June 2021 Levi had blossomed; it brought forth a blossom, 2 Tammuz 5781 sprouted a bud and almonds ripened” Shabbat ends: (Bemidbar 17:23) London 10.23pm Sheffield 10.57pm Glasgow 11.34pm Edinburgh 11.25pm Birmingham 10.38pm Southport 11.07pm Hull 10.57pm Jerusalem 8.28pm

Please look regularly at the social media and websites of the US, Tribe and your community for ongoing updates relating to Coronavirus as well as educational programming and community support. You do not need to sign into Facebook to access the US Facebook page. The US Coronavirus Helpline is on 020 8343 5696. May God bless us and the whole world. INSIDE: Before Hitting the Send Button… by Rabbi Yisroel Binstock Korach Places in the Parasha Artscroll p820 by Rabbi Dov Kaplan Hertz p638 Soncino p879 Technology, Food and Judaism Haftarah by Rabbi Joel Kenigsberg Artscroll p1186 Hertz p649 Blood Libels Soncino p893 by Pnina Savery Daf Hashavua Sidra breakdown Before Hitting קֹרַ ח Korach the Send 5th Sidra in: …Button מִ ּבְ דְ ּבַ ר Bemidbar by Rabbi Yisroel Binstock, Hale Synagogue

By Numbers: We have probably times gone by, we would have had 95 verses all had that horrible the time buffer of handwriting, 1,409 words moment of dread checking, addressing and posting when we realise a letter. At every stage along the 5,325 letters that we have sent a way, we could have reflected on message intended for an individual its content and decided to amend to a whole group of people, or to it, rewrite it, or possibly not send Headlines: the wrong group. Sometimes we it at all. have sent messages to the right Instant messaging has Rebellion against person, but in such haste that we tremendous benefits, but it also Moshe have regretted it instantly. These comes with challenges, so much so situations can be humorous, but that many platforms now offer the they can also be disastrous. In opportunity to “recall” a message

In loving memory of Yaacov ben Shmuel z"l

Sidra Summary

1st Aliya () – Bemidbar 16:1-13 United Synagogue Daf Hashavua Korach, from the , conspires with Datan, Aviram and On from the tribe Produced by US Living & Learning of Reuven. They gather together 250 leading Israelites and challenge Moshe and together with the Rabbinical Council of Aharon’s rights to leadership. Moshe tells Korach and his assembly to prepare an the United Synagogue incense offering in a fire-pan to bring the next morning. Aharon will do the same; Editor-in-Chief: Rabbi Baruch Davis whoever’s offering is received by God will indicate the rightful leadership. Moshe Editorial and Production Team: tries to dissuade the rebels. Datan and Aviram refuse to speak with Moshe, Rabbi Daniel Sturgess, Rabbi Michael Laitner, accusing him of “bringing the nation out of the land of Egypt in order to kill them Rebbetzen Nechama Davis, in the desert”. Joanna Rose Available also via email US website Point to Consider: Why is Korach’s lineage only listed three generations back www.theus.org.uk ©United Synagogue and not more? (see to 16:1) To sponsor Daf Hashavua please contact Danielle Fox on 020 8343 6261, 2nd Aliya (Levi) – 16:14-19 or [email protected] Datan and Aviram continue their tirade against Moshe, who is angered. He If you have any comments or questions regarding Daf Hashavua please email declares to God that he has received no personal gain from his leadership. The [email protected] next morning, Korach and his assembly arrive with their incense offerings at the This was no time to risk accidentally sending the wrong message to the wrong person, a miscommunicated message at this time would have only exacerbated what was already a toxic situation that has been sent within a couple press reporter pushing Moshe for However, rather than trying to of minutes to help you avoid a an instant response to the situation. tackle this in the heat of the “textastrophe”. moment, Moshe says, so to speak, It is common for these mistakes “let’s sleep on it, let’s reconvene to occur when we are in high- in the morning and try to resolve pressure situations and feel this situation”. Rashi (1040-1105), compelled to act instantly. There quoting a Midrash (early rabbinic is an important lesson we can teaching), famously comments that learn from how Moshe responds Moshe wanted to give Korach an to a high-pressure situation in opportunity to think things through this week’s sidra, which contains and withdraw from his position invaluable wisdom for us. (Midrash Tanchuma, Korach 5). This Korach and a group of followers was no time to risk accidentally have aggressively challenged the sending the wrong message to the legitimacy of Moshe’s leadership. wrong person, a miscommunicated Their rebellion is threatening to message at this time would have cause unrest within the entire camp. only exacerbated what was already Moshe responds by saying the a toxic situation. following: We gain a huge amount from the “Boker v’yodah Hashem et asher convenience of instant technology, lo v’et hakadosh - In the morning, but it is up to us to choose to take a God will make known who is His moment to reflect, and sometimes and who is holy” (Bemidbar 16:5). contemplate overnight, before One could imagine a present-day hitting the send button.

entrance to the Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting), as does in the rebellion. Moshe commands Aharon’s son Elazar to Aharon, accompanied by Moshe. gather up the copper fire pans of those who died in order to make them into a covering for the Mizbeach (Altar). The 3rd Aliya (Shlishi) – 16:20-17:8 next day, the people complain to Moshe and God tells Moshe and Aharon to separate themselves from Aharon for ‘causing’ so many deaths. the rest of the nation, as God will immediately destroy Korach and all those people who have been drawn after 4th Aliya (Revi’i) – 17:9-15 him, including many of the Israelites (Rashi). Moshe and In response to the complaints, God threatens to wipe Aharon plead for mercy. God relents, telling Moshe to out the people. As a fatal plague breaks out, Moshe tells instruct the nation to distance themselves from Korach, Aharon to place incense in a fire-pan to gain atonement Datan and Aviram in order to prove their allegiance for the complainers. Aharon does so, managing to stop the to Moshe. Datan and Aviram remain defiant. Moshe plague, but not before it kills 14,700 people. announces that if Korach and his followers die a normal death, then he, Moshe, is not God’s rightful appointee. 5th Aliya (Chamishi) – 17:16-24 Yet if the ground swallows them up miraculously, then God tells Moshe to gather a staff from each tribe’s leader, Moshe’s leadership is legitimate. As Moshe finishes with the name of the tribe written on the staff. Aharon’s speaking, the ground opens up, consuming Korach, some name is to be written on the staff of Levi. of his followers and all of their property. A fire then The staffs are to be left in the Ohel Moed; whichever consumes Korach’s 250 men whom he had incited to join tribe’s staff miraculously blossoms is the rightful leader. Places in the Parasha Part 4: Who Wants Gelilah? by Rabbi Dov Kaplan, Tribe Team One of the signs Moshe’s protestation against Korach on Pesach. Imagine that! The very indicating a return (Bemidbar 16:15), declaring: first commanded of every to normal life here in “Whose ox did I take, or whose Jew with the aim of demonstrating Israel as Coronavirus donkey did I take, or whom did I their liberty from slavery had been concerns eased, was the reinstating oppress” (Shmuel I 12:3). neglected for an entire generation. of the gelilah role at the conclusion Eventually, after being comforted They acted as though their relatively of the reading. In normal times, by the people’s response which new status of freedom was temporary Ashkenazi shuls invite two people exonerates him, God instructs Shmuel and would be revoked. Finally, at up to the Torah at the end of the to accede to their demands. Shmuel Gilgal they became ‘reinstated’, and reading; the first, to raise the Torah declares: their lowly status was ‘removed’ from for everyone to see (hagbahah), and “Let us go to Gilgal, and establish upon them. the second, to help roll it up and dress there the monarchy" (Shmuel I 11:14). Shmuel decided that the first it (gelilah). However, during the Covid Indeed, there seem to be various king of Israel should be anointed period, many shuls (including United places referred to in the Tanach in the place where twelve stones Synagogue shuls) would call up only () as Gilgal. In this from the Jordan River were set as one person to perform both roles, in instance, it can be reasonably a monument. A reminder for future order to minimize contact between identified as the same site, between generations what is expected of us in people. Only recently has the role of Jericho and the Jordan River, where this land as God’s people. gelilah, as a separate honour, been Israel encamped after crossing into Returning to the matter of the reinstated. the Promised Land. In the book of gelilah at the conclusion of reading This week’s haftarah reminds us Yehoshua (Joshua), we learn how it the Torah, the word is derived from of the meaning of the word ‘gelilah’. received its name: the same root as Gilgal. Although we In the sidra of Korach, we are told “God said to Yehoshua: This day I are finished with the scroll for now, nothing of where Korach’s rebellion have removed (‘galoti’) the shame of we must always remember that the against the leadership of Moshe and Egypt from upon you. And He called Torah’s values are constantly with us. Aharon took place. However, we read the name of the place Gilgal to this Today, one can visit the estimated about a place called Gilgal, which day” (Yehoshua 5:9). location of Gilgal, near the Jordan might provide a thematic although not At this Gilgal, a mass brit mila River, preferably with a guide who a geographical clue. In the haftarah, (circumcision) ritual took place, as will bring alive the profound hopes we are told of another revolt, in the recorded in that chapter. During the and aspirations of our ancestors. time of Shmuel HaNavi (Samuel the 40 years in the wilderness the Jews The dream to live as a free nation Prophet). The people are concerned refrained from circumcising their in a land promised to us as an that his sons will succeed him, and sons. Being uncircumcised, they inheritance, guided by the spirituality they ask for a monarchy. Shmuel, were prevented from performing the of the Torah’s values of peace and upset at their request, echoes rituals pertaining to the pascal lamb righteousness.

In memory of Malka bat Peretz z"l

The leaders do as instructed. The following morning assist him and the other Kohanim. The Kohanim have the Aharon’s staff has blossoms with a bud and almonds. privilege of eating certain parts of offerings and certain . The laws of redeeming firstborn male children and 6th Aliya (Shishi) – 17:25-18:20 bringing firstborn animals as offerings are stated. God tells Moshe to preserve Aharon’s staff as a reminder that he was chosen, lest the people rebel in the future. God 7th Aliya (Shevi’i) – 18:21-32 reiterates Aharon’s duties and the need for the Levi’im to The ‘first ’ (ma’aser rishon) taken from crops is given Technology, Food and Judaism Part 1: The Rabbi Who Changed the Recipe by Rabbi Joel Kenigsberg, Magen Avot Synagogue

Technology is changing plain which ingredients may be eaten to provide kosher certification to the way we live our and which may not and how to avoid the popular product. Perhaps the lives at a dizzying pace. forbidden mixtures such as milk and most fascinating part of the story is Be it in the realm of meat. the request the rabbi made of the medicine, hi-tech, industry or leisure, However, as food production company in return. hardly a day goes by without some became increasingly complex, so too Rabbi Geffen became one of the new invention or discovery that ends did the application of the halacha. As few people privy to the contents of up leaving an indelible imprint on Roger Horowitz notes in his history of Coca-Cola’s secret recipe. What he our daily routines. As these worldly kosher food in the USA:1 learned was that whilst the majority innovations arrive at a fast and “Processed food disrupted of the ingredients posed no furious pace, we are left pondering the stable categories on which problem, glycerin – a chemical used their religious implications from both kosher law was based through the as a sweetener and preservative - philosophical and legal perspectives. inclusion of ingredients intended to was derived from non-kosher animal In this series, we will explore one make these products taste better, fats. Due to its tiny amounts in the area that has long been familiar to us look attractive and last longer. mixture, one could have argued all, yet in the modern era raises new Manufacturers never identified that the laws of bittul (nullification) challenges as old methods make way the source of these ingredients, would have applied, and the product for technological advances – food. and many were included in such would still be kosher. However, it The principles of Kashrut small quantities that they were not was questionable to rely on bittul (kosher dietary laws), intricate and even listed on labels… The rigid when the ingredient was added detailed as they are, had always categories prescribed by kosher deliberately as a significant part of been relatively straightforward law were no longer self-evident in the recipe, rather than by accident. to apply to real-world situations. modern food, and rabbis schooled Instead of entering this contentious The written Torah, commentaries in pre-industrial Jewish law debate, Rabbi Geffen asked the and codes clearly delineate which needed to figure out how to extend company to change the source of features distinguish between the those principles to 20th-century their glycerin to one derived from permitted and forbidden species for conditions.” plant-based sources. They agreed consumption; thus, the kosher status An early example of this problem and Coca-Cola became kosher! of most animal-sourced foods could was the case of Coca-Cola. In the What happens when it is not just quickly and visibly be identified. The 1930s, Rabbi Tuvia Geffen, the rabbi ingredients, but entirely unheard-of same was true for fruits, vegetables of Atlanta, was approached by the new categories of food? More on and grains. The kashrut laws make Coca-Cola company with a request this next week.

1 Available at https://www.sciencehistory.org/distillations/the-real-thing-how-coke-became-kosher#:~:text=To%20document%20its%20 compliance%20with,indeed%20meet%20Jewish%20dietary%20requirements. in an article drawn from the book “Kosher USA: How Coke Became Kosher and Other Tales of Modern Food”. In memory of Avraham ben Yehoshua z"l to the Levi’im. They need to separate a emphasises that they still need to fear God and obey His portion of this tithe to give to the Kohanim. commandments. The righteous Shmuel was descended from Korach and he, like Moshe, declares that he has Haftarah never taken anything from the people. From the Book of Shmuel, the haftarah describes the day on which Shmuel appoints Shaul as the first king of Israel. Shmuel rebukes the nation for demanding a king and BLOOD LIBELS Part 2: The Tiszaeszlar Affair 1882-1883 by Pnina Savery, US Jewish Living Educator

Tragically, blood libels country were severely implicated in still occurred in 19th Rumours swiftly the case”. 2 century Europe, even spread that One intriguing aspect of the in Tiszaeszlar, a small Tiszaeszlar Affair was its impact on Hungarian village with a population she had been Jewish texts at the time. In the late of approximately 2,700. On Shabbat kidnapped, 19th century, anti-Semites used a HaGadol, the Shabbat before Pesach, section of the Babylonian Talmud 1 April 1882, a Christian girl named murdered by (Ketubot 102b) to support blood libel Esther Solymosi disappeared. accusations. This passage discusses Rumours swiftly spread that she had Jews and that her the tragic story of a child murdered been kidnapped, murdered by Jews blood had been by his step-brothers for their father’s and that her blood had been used to inheritance. It states that the boy make matzah. used to make was killed “on the eve of Pesach” This was used as proof .(ערב הפסח) The investigators searched the synagogue and even dug up graves matzah. that the Jewish community would in the Jewish cemetery, but they even kill Jewish children before found no evidence to support the gether with the Jewish boy who had Pesach to use their blood for baking claim. Nevertheless, a Jewish boy testified that he had witnessed the matzot; how much more so would was arrested. Under interrogation murder. They asked him to retell all they murder Christian children for and possibly torture, he admitted that the details of the events, explaining this purpose! the girl had been ritually murdered where everyone had stood, including The Vilna edition of the Talmud in the shul and her blood had been himself. They ruled that it was (the print used widely today) was collected in a vessel. He even named impossible for him to have witnessed published for the first time between members of the community who the events from the place that he 1880 and 1886. Tractate Ketubot were allegedly involved. As a result, claimed to have stood. The trial was published in 1884 and the above the entire male population of the fell apart and all the accused were phrase referring to the date of the .ער"ה Jewish community was arrested. acquitted in August 1883. child’s death is abbreviated to Esther’s body was discovered in Despite the acquittal, the damage A footnote explains that it means on the first night” and“ ערב הראשון June 1882 on the shore of the river. was done. To this day, there are There were no marks or damage those who believe that the Jewish that earlier editions mistakenly wrote on her body whatsoever, indicating community had been guilty of this “erev haPesach”. This would indicate that she had drowned rather than murder. Research carried out among that the child was murdered by his been slaughtered. The investigators the locals in the 1970s indicated that family on the first night he was with claimed this was not Esther. Instead, the murder falsely attributed to the them, with no connection to Pesach they alleged that the Jewish commu- Jewish community still had a per- at all. It is reasonable to assume that nity had murdered another girl and manent place in collective memory.1 this change was made to protect the dressed her in the same clothes as In fact, a Hungarian MP from the Jewish community from accusations Esther to cover their tracks. far-right Jobbik party discussed the of blood libels, especially considering During the trial, which took place affair in the Hungarian Parliament that this was printed in the imme- in 1883, the judges asked to visit as recently as 2012, claiming “the diate aftermath of the Tiszaeszlar the original scene of the crime to- Jewry and the leadership of the Affair.

1 See Andrew Handler, The Blood Libel at Tiszaeszlar (1980) p.182-187. 2 https://aijac.org.au/update/hungary-revisits-blood-libel-conspiracy/