Korach – Good Intentions

Rabbi Ezra Friedman

In our world, actions define a person. Nice ideas and sweet words are not taken seriously unless they have some kind of manifestation in reality. In Judaism, our actions have eternal meaning. As opposed to other religions, our actions cannot be negated by a simple apology or “turning the other cheek”.  In Judaism, in order to repent, there has to a real action to reflect atonement, such as giving a sacrifice or returning to the same situation where one has sinned and then resisting one’s desires. On the other hand, no matter how fundamental action is, there exists a very special place for good intentions. Hashem sees and grasps everything about a Jew- his desires, his thoughts and his intentions. As we have mentioned numerous times in previous articles, all three pillars of our essence are connected – our thoughts, words and actions. Even though action and even words are our essential service to Hashem, Judaism recognizes that good intentions are real.  We, as Jews, can learn that improving every aspect of our being makes us better. When our thoughts, words and actions are all on the right path, we have come to an elevated spiritual level.

In this week’s Parsha, we can learn this lesson. Korach challenged Moshe‘s leadership in the most despicable fashion. Korach tried to convince Am Yisrael that Moshe Rabeinu wanted to run a dictatorship-like system and that the idea that there are levels in Judaism (Kohen, Levi, Yisrael) is a manifestation of Moshe’s manipulation. Korach was able to persuade other members of Am Yisrael that through his leadership, they could be just as holy as Moshe and Aharon. Korach insisted that his camp have a showdown with Moshe, Aharon and the other Kohanim. Korach and his camp prepared incense to be offered to Hashem. In the end, Hashem punished the entire group and the earth swallowed up Korach and all 250 people who joined him. After the entire incident, Hashem commanded Moshe to do something that seems very peculiar (Bamidbar 17, 1-3):

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

אֱמֹ֨ר אֶל־אֶלְעָזָ֜ר בֶּן־אַהֲרֹ֣ן הַכֹּהֵ֗ן וְיָרֵ֤ם אֶת־הַמַּחְתֹּת֙ מִבֵּ֣ין הַשְּׂרֵפָ֔ה וְאֶת־הָאֵ֖שׁ זְרֵה־הָ֑לְאָה כִּ֖י קָדֵֽשׁוּ׃

Order Eleazar son of Aaron the priest to remove the fire pans—for they have become sacred—from among the charred remains; and scatter the coals abroad.

אֵ֡ת מַחְתּוֹת֩ הַֽחַטָּאִ֨ים הָאֵ֜לֶּה בְּנַפְשֹׁתָ֗ם וְעָשׂ֨וּ אֹתָ֜ם רִקֻּעֵ֤י פַחִים֙ צִפּ֣וּי לַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ כִּֽי־הִקְרִיבֻ֥ם לִפְנֵֽי־יְהוָ֖ה וַיִּקְדָּ֑שׁוּ וְיִֽהְי֥וּ לְא֖וֹת לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

[Remove] the fire pans of those who have sinned at the cost of their lives, and let them be made into hammered sheets as plating for the altar—for once they have been used for offering to the LORD, they have become sacred—and let them serve as a warning to the people of Israel.

Hashem commanded Elazar (Aharon’s son) to collect the fire pans left over from the incense that Korach‘s followers tried to sacrifice and use them as plating for the Mizbeach (Altar). Why would Hashem request to use firepans from those who rebelled against Moshe and put them on the holiest article Am Yisrael had? The Ramban and other medieval commentators expound on this very perplexing idea. Those who joined Korach had pure intentions, as they were infused with the desire to become holy and come closer to Hashem. They didn’t subscribe to Korach‘s despicable intentions. As mistaken as they were, and even though they rebelled against Moshe after his explicit request, their motives were based on pure ideals.

As farfetched as it may seem, Hashem wanted to teach Am Yisrael that no good intention ever goes unnoticed. Because this idea is so important to internalize, Hashem used the leftover fire pans from sinners’ actions as part of his altar. The commentators emphasized that only those who had a sincere desire to become close to Hashem had their fire pans preserved, but there is no mention anywhere that Korach‘s fire pan was used for the Mizbeach. Korach had rebellious intentions. His entire plan was selfish and evil. Therefore, according to certain sources, his fire pan was swallowed up along with him, as were others’ who aided his rebellion. Only those who truly had pure motives had their fire pans plated to the Mizbeach.

In our very busy and demanding modern world, Jews want to see results. In Judaism, results and actions are essential, but that should never prevent us from dreaming, from hoping to help and improve our lives and others’ through good intentions. Ironically, sometimes when we lack good intentions and creative ideas, it prevents us Jews from taking chances and acting in other areas. We should always try to concentrate and see how we can help our fellow man.  We should be creative and diverse. If we focus on our good intentions and direct them on the right path, we will eventually do the right thing. There were those who truly wanted to get closer to Hashem, yet unfortunately, Korach directed them astray.

In today’s generation there are so many of us who have truly good intentions, but unfortunately make grave mistakes. These mistakes can cause great sin and desecrate our precious Torah. If those good intentions were turned towards Hashem, they could have very positive results. We must never forget that Hashem cares and values every good intention. However, it is our job, as G-d fearing Jews, to utilize those intentions and bring them to fruition.