Korach - קרח : "Korach"
Torah : Numbers 16:1-18:32
Haftarah : 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22
Gospel : John 9-10

Thought for the Week:

A proverb says, "Woe to the wicked, and woe to his neighbor." This applies to Dathan and Abiram, the neighbors of Korah. Dathan and Abiram were neighbors with a contentious man. That is why they were punished with him and were swept from the world. (Numbers Rabbah 17:5)

Commentary:

Contention against leadership is contagious, and contentious people work hard to convince their companions to join their cause. Korah's initial grievances against Moses and Aaron had nothing to do with the Reubenites, but through frequent conversation and the subtle manipulation of ideas, Korah was able to draw his neighbors into sedition.

Korah the son of Izhar ... and On the son of Peleth ... (Numbers 16:1)

Three chief Reubenites joined with Korah in his rebellion against Moses: Dathan, Abiram and On. Dathan and Abiram met a grim fate for their part in t...