IV-5 Korach: Envy and Insurrection
IV-5 Korach 30 June for 1-2 July
Torah: Nr 16-18:32 JPS
http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/jp...
Haftorah: 1 Sam 11:14-12:22 JPS
http://learn.jtsa.edu/topics/parashah/jp...
Aliyot:
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1. Nr 16:1-13
2. Nr 16:14-19
3. Nr 16:20-17:8
4. Nr 17:9-15
5. Nr17:16-24
6. Nr 17:25-18:20
7. Nr 18:21-32
OVERVIEW:
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The devastating effects of Miriam's comments regarding her brother have a cascading effect through Parasha Shelach Lecha and Korach through the returning spies inciting unrest in the Israelite camp with their distorted vison of Canaan and Korach defying the authority of Moses and Aaron, while encouraging Dathan And Abiram to rebel. The unity which was found at the foot of Mt Sinai in the giving of Torah has already disintegrated before the Israelites continue their journey in the wilderness. No quick entry into the Promised Land is gained. Rather than accept responsibility for failure, fault is found in leadership. Korach is a Levite while Abiram and Dathan are from the tribe of Reuben. Challenged by the antagonistic ccussations of Korach, Moses answers him fairly and places the matter before God, rather than taking it into his own hands. The earth cracks open and swallows the insurgents and a plague falls upon the Israelites in punishment of their faithlessness and fickleness. The surviving Levites are attached to Aaron as ministers at the Tent of Meeting. The parasha concludes with the duties of the Levites and descriptions of offerings which they preside.
IN FOCUS
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"Now Korah, the son of Izhar son of Korath son of Levi betook himself, along with Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth-descendents of Reuben-to rise up against Moses..." Nr 16:1-2 JPS
"Come morning and the Lord will make known who is His and who is holy, and will grant him access to Himself; He will grant access to the one He has chosen... Truly it is against the Lord that you and all your fellow Levites have banded together. Lv 16: 5, 11 JPS
Envy and Insurrection
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Moses is the son of Levite man and wife. The opening of Shemot is tightly related to the closing of Bereshit: the Blessing of Jacob and the death of Joseph. To advance in history, take three steps backward. Turn to the Blessing of Jacob in Genesis 49. Leadership skips over Reuben, Simeon and Levi to Judah. Simeon and Levi are spurned because of their vicous assault on Shechem:
"Simeon and Levi are a pair:
Their weapons are tools of lawlessness.
Let not my person be included in their council.
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