There is order in all this chaos. By Divine providence, the redemption comes in phases - for a reason. * It was Yehoshua’s duty to pray for the miracle of a complete and instantaneous victory. What was gained by engaging in mortal combat?
Korach was the consummate rebel. Even today, if one wishes to start a fight with another, it is said that he is like Korach. Ethics of the Fathers (chapter 5:20) describes the difference between a dispute for the sake of heaven and a dispute that is not for the sake of Heaven. A dispute that is for the sake of heaven is the dispute between the School of Shammai and the School of Hillel, whereas a dispute not for the sake of heaven is the dispute of Korach and his community.
Korach’s rebellion began with his gathering of 250 leaders and then proclaiming before them to Moshe and Aaron: “You have gone too far. All the people in the community are holy, and G-d is within them. Why are you setting yourselves above G-d’s congregation?”
Moshe’s confrontation with Korach, who revolted against Moshe’s and Aaron’s leadership, included the following exchange between Moshe and G-d
Nearly everything in the world can be corrupted and altered from its original and pure context. Even k’dusha-holiness can be viewed in a mistaken manner. How is that possible?
This Shabbos (Korach) is Gimmel Tammuz. Those two words bring out a lot of mixed emotions by Chassidim. Whatever your Hashkafa or thoughts are, everyone agrees that it is a day of Cheshbon Ha’nefesh about our Hiskashrus to the Rebbe.
Since Moshiach still has not come, it is clear that in heaven they came up with a strategy as to how to have the tzaddik delay his appeal until later… * The correct approach here may well be to take an oath according to the knowledge and consent of the public, in which case the law is that “there is no disavowal of the oath without public consent.”
Korach started a rebellion against his cousin Moshe. He argued that Moshe had arrogated to himself and his brother Aaron the twin powers of leader and high-priest, respectively. Korach claimed that was unjustified as all Jews were equal and each one had G-d in them. “Why do you exalt yourselves above all of them?”
This process also brings about the concept of “chukas” meaning “chakika,” engraving, signifying an (unchanging) eternal manifestation, which is connected with the letter Tav, as our Sages say, “Tav – t’chiya, enlivens,” the ultimate expression of which is chaim nitzchiim, eternal life.
The Jew is a conduit to bring G-d’s presence to the world through his or her performance of the Mitzvos. Sinai also revolutionized how we view the role of Jewish leaders. They are not just teachers who guide, inspire and uplift the people; they are the “head souls” who channel Divine energy to the entire Jewish nation in the same manner the brain energizes the entire body.
Before Gimmel Tammuz our connection to the Rebbe was through visible and tangible “wires,” through dollars, t’fillos, farbrengens, Lekach and more. Today the connection is not visible. Our children wonder if there is still a way to connect to the Rebbe. It is our job to tell our children that we live in a wireless era.
Just as one must know his personal shortcomings, in order to correct them, so must he know his virtues, his positive character traits, in order to fully devote them to G-d. A Jew must know that he is shrewd and that he is “a servant of a king is a king” (even during the time of exile). * This awareness will rouse him to dedicate himself to complete the last remaining tasks to refine the world and bring the redemption.
The lesson for our time is that Moshiach, just like Moses and David, is not just a facilitator or a coordinator. Moshiach, through his dedication to G-d and His Torah, will empower all of us to build the third Temple and experience the Redemption.
June 7, 2021