Summary:
In our weekly Torah portion, Korach and his followers, Dathan and Abiram, lead a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. In a horrible scene, God punishes the rebels by burying them and their families alive. Once again, God brings a plague on the people. Later, the chief of each tribe deposits his staff inside the Tent of Meeting and Aaron's staff brings forth sprouts, produces blossoms, and bears almonds. Then, the Kohanim and Levites are established and assigned the responsibility of managing the donations to the Sanctuary. All of the firstborn offerings shall go to the priests and all the tithes are designated for the Levites in return for the services they perform.
Lessons from our Haftarah - Samuel 11:14-12:22.
In both our Torah and our haftarah portions, Moses and Samuel faces rebellion. Korach rebels against Moses’ preeminence and demands power for himself. In our haftarah the people rebel against Samuel as their judge and leader and demand a king so they can be like the other nations. Korach’s rebellion fails – he and his followers all die at the hand of God. The demand of the people for a king is however successful and in our haftarah Saul is crowned the first king of Israel.
Both Moses and Samuel respond similarly to the rebellions they face. From them we can learn what Jewish tradition sees as important in leaders.
Moses responds to his detractors by saying: “Pay no regard to their offering. I have not taken the donkey of any of them, nor have I wronged any of them.” Setting up the qualities of a good leader, Moses protests that he has not taken from the people, nor has he done wrong by them.
Moses’ response echoes in Samuels words. “Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I defrauded or whom have I robbed? From whom have I taken a bribe to look the other way. I will return it to you.” Samuel too cries out in response to the rebellion of the people. He too attests to his honesty and integrity as a leader.
Today we distrust many leaders. Like Korah in our Torah portion, and the people in our haftarah portion, we rebel. However, both our portions this week remind us of the qualities of a strong leader. When we decide upon leadership, we must search for those who are honest and fair. Judaism teaches us that our leaders must have integrity and concern for the people they serve.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Don Goor