Korach: Wicked in So Many Ways

By Rabbi Vernon Kurtz.

Who is considered to be a wicked person? In this week’s Parsha of Korah we read of Korah’s rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Most commentators suggest that he was interested in his own personal aggrandizement. He and his 250 followers are punished for their rebellion as the earth opens up and swallows them. 

Midrash Tanhuma Korah section 8 extrapolates from Korah’s actions definitions of wickedness: “Four types of people are called wicked.”

The first is: “One who puts out his hand against his fellow to strike him, even if he does not actually do so.” 
Think of the bully who threatens another, one who threatens members of the community or a dominant spouse who threatens his or her weaker counterpart. 
To create fear in the heart or mind of another is seen as a form of wickedness by the Rabbis. 

A second category is: “One who borrows and does not repay his debt.”This person is considered wicked because he betrays the trust that another puts in him as he loans him money. To betray another’s trust is portrayed as a form of wickedness.

A third is: “One who shows insolence and is not ashamed in the presence of one greater than himself.” This person has no respect for authority. This lack of respect in the family and community is seen as a form of wickedness.

The final category is: “One who is given to contentiousness.” This person sows the seeds of discord and conflict which may lead to enmity and hatred.

Korah and his comrades represented all four categories – they lacked respect for authority and trust in their fellow human being and they based their leadership on discord and threats. 

We learn not only from the positive attributes of Biblical personalities but also from their failures. May we do better than Korah and establish families and societies based on the values of trust, respect and concern for one another.