blogs/rabbi-huberman

Parashat: Korach

"Are We There Yet?"

During this holiday weekend, the American Automobile Association estimates that more than 71 million people will travel the roads of our nation.

So, how many million times do you think the following scenario will play out?

You are driving along the Long Island Expressway or Interstate 95, with hours of highway ahead of you, and one or more young voices waft forward from the back seat:

“Are we there yet?”

If you were like my brother and me, you can still hear the elevated voices of your parents: “No we’re not! Be patient. Find something to do!”

When we embark on a journey, it often seems like an eternity until we reach our destination.

Perhaps it’s the first day of college—knowing that many years of study lie ahead. Perhaps it’s waiting for a medical result or a reply to an important email.

These days, we tend to seek quick responses. We are obsessed with “fast forwarding,” as we consistently ask ourselves: “Are we there yet?”

Perhaps that is the central teaching of this week’s Torah portion entitled Korach—named after the leader of a rebellion against Moses.

Like Moses and his siblings Aaron and Miriam, Korach is a member of the prestigious tribe of Levi. He garners support from 250 tribal chieftains, and the challenge to Moses' leadership is on.

Korach asks why God perpetually chooses Moses, Aaron and Miriam to lead the Israelites.

He even quotes God’s own words to punctuate his point: “For you (Israel) shall be holy, for I, your God am holy.” 

Korach confronts 80-year-old Moses, asking, “Why do you then raise yourselves above the Lord’s congregation?”

At first glance, Korach may have a point. Aren’t we, as Jews, taught to debate and discuss with each other? Isn’t it a core Jewish value that our own truth will only emerge only when we expose it to the truth of others?

Aren’t we all holy? Isn’t there a spark of God within each of us? Aren’t we all linked to the revelation at Mount Sinai?

The great 20^th Century commentator, Rabbi Yeshayahu Leibowitz, offers an answer, drawing on that perpetual question heard on many journeys.

“Are we there yet?”

Rabbi Leibowitz compares the leadership styles of Moses and Korach, concluding that while Korach demanded respect because of what he had accomplished, Moses had his eye on the future, and holiness yet to be achieved.

Notes the Etz Chaim Biblical Commentary: “(Holiness) is a future goal and not a present boast.” It paraphrases Korach: “We have achieved our goal, and nothing more need be demanded of us.”

How many of us these days are wallowing in a similar premise? How many of us have become locked within our opinions, perceptions and stereotypes?

When first hearing the challenge of Korach and his rebels, Moses appears shattered. He flattens his body to the ground.  “Perhaps Korach was right.” But Moses quickly recovers and lets God decide.

A test of faith is developed, and Moses ultimately wins. The earth then opens, and swallows Korach and his followers.

God ultimately chooses humility over ambition.

The great Sage, Rabbi Shimon Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888), noted that while true messengers like Moses present themselves as unworthy of the task, “only persons motivated by self-interest, eager for the position of leader proclaim, ‘I can do it better.’”

And, within that teaching, we can gain insight into how God wishes each of us to approach our lives. Indeed, at birth, each of us is assigned a personal and spiritual destination.

In the language of today’s corporate world, each of us is responsible to climb life’s ladder in pursuit of our own “north star.”

Have we already learned everything we need to know? Have we overcome our shortcomings? Are we spiritually at peace, or do we claim, “This is as far as I care to go.”

Perhaps God’s punishment is harsh. Yet, our tradition stresses that in times of disagreement, we must treat each other with respect.

Two thousand years ago, two great sages, Hillel and Shammai, argued every day, but they did so with reverence and an openness to self-improvement. That was not the case with Korach.

Notes the famous teaching from Pirkei Avot—Sayings of our Sages:

“Every dispute that is for the sake of Heaven, will in the end endure; But one that is not for the sake of Heaven, will not endure. Which is the controversy that is for the sake of Heaven? Such was the controversy of Hillel and Shammai.

“And which is the controversy that is not for the sake of Heaven? Such was the controversy of Korach and all his congregation.”

This week’s Torah portion reminds that we are both drivers and passengers on a long journey. We travel toward our personal north star—but do we really ever get there?

As for the answer to that famous travel question, I imagine Moses looking in his rearview mirror and assuring the Jewish people:

“No, we are not there yet.

“But look around you and cherish what you have. Learn, grow, appreciate life, and imagine what you can still achieve.

“Most of all, upon this sacred journey—enjoy the ride."

Shabbat shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman