At the start of this week’s Parsha, Korach publicly challenges Moshe’s authority and questions his appointment of Aaron, Moshe’s brother, as the high priest. Moshe tells Korach to meet him the next day for a showdown to determine who is correct.
Why does Moshe send Korach home and not have the showdown immediately?
In the Mishnah in Eduyot (Testimonies) we get a grab bag of random rulings with no set theme. We also receive some clarity on Moshe’s answer to Korach. The incorrect opinion is often recorded in the Mishnah especially regarding Hillel and Shammai. The Mishnah asks a question about itself regarding this practice. (Very Post modern)
Why are the opinions of Hillel and Shammai continued to be remembered despite their rejection? To teach the generations that people should not be insistent in their opinions, for the fathers of the world were not insistent in their opinions. (Mishnah 1:4 Eduyot)
This Mishnah is rich with meaning. One lesson is it is important to be open minded to others view points. It is also similar to what Rashi says on the Pasuk.
Rashi points out on the Pasuk quoting Medrash Tanchuma that Moshe was stalling for time when he sent Korach home. Moshe was not stalling to give himself more time but wanted Korach to have a chance to review his plan and perhaps back out of the deal, to change his mind. Like in the Mishnah.
Admitting when we are wrong is an extremely difficult task. However we see the Rabbis of the Gemara doing it constantly. That is something that was not in Korach’s character. Making excuses instead of admitting wrongdoing is what Adam did when he ate from the tree and what Cain did when he killed his brother. Yehudah and King David later reverse this trend by admitting to their mistakes immediately.
“No one should be ashamed to admit they are wrong, which is but saying , in other words, they are wiser today than they were yesterday”- Alexander Pope
This advice is especially pertinent for leaders, managers and of course interpersonal relationships. Admitting you are wrong is an extremely difficult yet vital trait to cultivate.
“To keep your marriage brimming, with love in the loving cup,
whenever you're wrong, admit it; whenever you're right, shut up.”
- Ogden Nash
This Dvar was taught to me by Amir Zinkow
Why does Moshe send Korach home and not have the showdown immediately?
In the Mishnah in Eduyot (Testimonies) we get a grab bag of random rulings with no set theme. We also receive some clarity on Moshe’s answer to Korach. The incorrect opinion is often recorded in the Mishnah especially regarding Hillel and Shammai. The Mishnah asks a question about itself regarding this practice. (Very Post modern)
Why are the opinions of Hillel and Shammai continued to be remembered despite their rejection? To teach the generations that people should not be insistent in their opinions, for the fathers of the world were not insistent in their opinions. (Mishnah 1:4 Eduyot)
This Mishnah is rich with meaning. One lesson is it is important to be open minded to others view points. It is also similar to what Rashi says on the Pasuk.
Rashi points out on the Pasuk quoting Medrash Tanchuma that Moshe was stalling for time when he sent Korach home. Moshe was not stalling to give himself more time but wanted Korach to have a chance to review his plan and perhaps back out of the deal, to change his mind. Like in the Mishnah.
Admitting when we are wrong is an extremely difficult task. However we see the Rabbis of the Gemara doing it constantly. That is something that was not in Korach’s character. Making excuses instead of admitting wrongdoing is what Adam did when he ate from the tree and what Cain did when he killed his brother. Yehudah and King David later reverse this trend by admitting to their mistakes immediately.
“No one should be ashamed to admit they are wrong, which is but saying , in other words, they are wiser today than they were yesterday”- Alexander Pope
This advice is especially pertinent for leaders, managers and of course interpersonal relationships. Admitting you are wrong is an extremely difficult yet vital trait to cultivate.
“To keep your marriage brimming, with love in the loving cup,
whenever you're wrong, admit it; whenever you're right, shut up.”
- Ogden Nash
This Dvar was taught to me by Amir Zinkow
