Most of this Parasha deals with Korah (one of the most important scholars among the Israelites) and his followers’ attempt to challenge the leadership of Moses and Aharon.
The Parasha opens with the words “VaYikah Korah” (Korah took) but it is not mentioned what he has taken, where to and for what need. The commentators say that he took a bad advice from someone, that in order to teach us that no matter how great, smart and wise a person can be, everyone has a weak point – the Ego.
The Zohar explains that Aharon the High Priest represents the Merkava (chariot) of the Sephira of Hesed, which is the power of Right Column, the power of Loving, Kindness, compassion and sharing goodness. Korah, who was a Levite, represents the Sephira of Gevura which is the power of Left Column – the desire to receive. Each of us has those sides and what Korah actually wanted was to put the power of Left Column in front of the Right. He could have been right, since the purpose of Creation was meant to share with us endless pleasure and fulfillment; hence it might appear that the Left Column, which is responsible for our desire to receive, is much more important. However, the moment we think about receiving only for ourselves we are in a state of separation from The Creator and the power of life – sharing and loving. That is quite a paradox, and the solution is to develop the desire to receive in order to share – “love your fellow person as you love yourself”.
The Midrash explains that we have to use the Right Column (loving and sharing) in order to rule over the Left Column (The desire only for ourselves) – this would create a frequency that will connect us to abundance, luck and bliss – The Central Column. This is the fine balance we are constantly on, between being Aharon – Hesed and Korah -Gevura. In all of us there is a mixture of light and shadow, good and evil, sharing and selfishness, Cohen and Levi. We must understand that in order to succeed in life we must give up our attempts to prove which of them is right and which is wrong. That inner struggle between Aharon and Korah happens in every one of us and this is our connection to the Creator.
And as to retribution, it was already said that “the one who flee from greatness and respect, they will follow him” and when we will understand the essence of sharing and unity as a high principle (unconditional love) than the sky is the limit, as it was said in the Talmud: “the one who prays for his friend is first to be answered”. Meaning, our question is not what is right or wrong, we shall not constantly look for justice, and as the Zohar teaches: “the person who is in dispute, has no existence”.
The Parasha of Korah ends with the issue of tithing – a contribution of tenth of what we have earned. Apparently, why would we like to give what is ours and what we have worked hard for? But, in order to fulfill our destiny and to connect to the Creation’s Light and abundance we must over rule our Right over the Left – taking care of our fellowman before thinking of ourselves.
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