By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin
In the late 1800s, French botanist, Jean-Henri Fabre, conducted a study on pine processionary caterpillars. He lined them up around the circumference of a planter. The head of each caterpillar touched the end of the one before it, and all together they formed a full circle. The planter was filled with earth, over which Fabre placed a layer of pine needles, the caterpillars’ favorite food.
The caterpillars earned their title “processionary”, for they blindly followed the leader, the caterpillar inching in front of them. For days they marched in circles, never deviating from the path of the caterpillar ahead of them, despite food lying only inches away. Eventually, they died from sheer exhaustion and starvation.
The tragedy of the processionary caterpillars is not limited to insects. Human beings can also become trapped in cycles of thoughtless behavior, blindly following others without considering where the path leads. We must ask ourselves, who are our leaders, who are we following. Are we circling aimlessly, not stopping to think, not realizing that one can be their own worst enemy, with self-destructive behavior. There are so many stories that illustrate this, whether in politics, sports, finance, and even in everyday life.
This week’s parsha, introduces us to Korach, a first cousin to Moshe and Aaron. A prominent man, a member of Shevet Levi, honored with being one of the carriers of the Aron HaKodesh. Korach was wealthy and influential, had status and prestige. Yet, for Korach, all this wasn’t enough. He wanted more and more. He became consumed with a craving for power and feelings of jealousy towards Moshe and Aaron. He questioned their leadership – why them and not he, a jealousy that was burning inside him.
“Vayikach Korach, and Korach took.” (Bamidbar 16:1) The opening posuk of this week’s parsha, simply states that he took. Took what? Rashi explains that Korach took himself to a different side. He separated himself from the people with plans of creating machlokes, strife and dissension. An intent to create division amongst the nation.
Rashi further comments that Korach was able to “take” others with the power of his words. A total of 250 others, described as “roshei sanhedraos, heads of courts”. He was an articulate and eloquent speaker, and with his rhetoric, Korach was able to make an impact upon others. He turned to the nation with words that touched their emotions, telling them they are all kedoshim, all holy, all deserving. That they all stood at Sinai, hearing the words of HaShem.
Was Korach really promising anything to the others? At the end of the day, it was about Korach, raising himself to a higher position. It was fueled by Korach being envious of Moshe and Aaron, and desiring to elevate himself to a position of leadership. An obsession with power and honor that ultimately led to his own downfall. As we read in this week’s Pirkei Avos, “Hakin’ah, v’ha’ta’ava, v’hakavod motzee-in es ha’odom min haolam, Jealousy, lust and the pursuit of honor remove one from this world.” (Avos 4:28) Strong emotions that can bring a person to his downfall. Feelings that can cause one to think irrationally and make poor, even harmful decisions. Emotions that are so powerful and all consuming, “removing him from this world”, preventing one from functioning normally with others. An all-encompassing state of mind that can make one physically ill, creating unnecessary stress and anxiety, even bringing on an untimely death, literally being removed from this world.
What was Korach thinking? Did he really believe that he could succeed? He knew in his heart of hearts that Moshe and Aaron were most beloved by Bnei Yisroel. It was Moshe that led the nation out of Egypt and through the desert. Aaron was their Kohein Gadol, a man of peace, going out of his way to bring shalom amongst the people. Despite all of that, Korach turned to the nation, attempting to sow discord and rebellion.
Korach spoke to the people when they were most vulnerable. He didn’t begin his uprising at the crossing of the sea, or after the giving of the Torah, but following the episode of the meraglim, the scouts. It was then, when Bnei Yisroel found out that their journey through the desert will take much longer than expected, and their entry to Eretz Yisroel will not come so soon, that Korach pounced. He made them feel important and valued at a time when they were pained.
Imagine Korach’s followers standing around as Korach confronted Moshe with his cynical words. There will always be those who feel big by following a brazen personality.
We still must ask, didn’t Korach’s followers realize all the good that Moshe did for them? The answer may be that disappointment and frustration clouded their judgment, making them more susceptible to Korach’s message. Challenging Moshe’s leadership, publicly disparaging an established leader, created an opportunity for some to raise their self-image. They became followers of Korach, no different than the processionary caterpillars, blindly and thoughtlessly following a leader. Never giving thought that they were on a path of self-destruction.
There was one man, On ben Peles, who thanks to his wife, got off the path of destruction. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 109b) teaches she convinced On that he has nothing to gain by being a part of Korach’s rebellious group. She explained that regardless of the outcome of the power struggle, On will remain On – his standing will not be elevated, his stature and position will remain unchanged. On thought it out, and realized his wife’s advice was on target.
“Chochmas nashim bansah baysah – A woman’s wisdom builds her home. (Mishlei 14:1). Rashi comments that this refers to the wife of On, who with her timely advice, keen wisdom and understanding, prevailed upon her husband to refrain from being part of Korach’s assembly.
The same verse continues, “But the foolish wife tears her home down with her own hands.” These words refer to the wife of Korach, who nudged and egged him on, persuading him that he was indeed worthy of being a leader.
There are times in life when our vision is clouded, our thinking unclear, our minds confused. These are times when it is easy to get on the wrong track. To follow “a leader”, to be swayed by a negative influencer, to fall into the trap of peer pressure, becoming part of “everyone is doing it”. The lesson of Korach is to be cognizant of who we follow, and why. Unlike the processionary caterpillars, we possess the ability to stop, reflect, and choose our direction. The lesson of Korach is that before joining the procession, we must ask where it is heading. We should all merit HaShem’s guidance to always be on the right track.
Shabbat Shalom!
Chaya Sora
Chaya Sora can be reached at [email protected]
This article was written L’zecher Nishmas / In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi, zt’l
