Parshas Korach
9 maamarim of the tzaddikim on this week's reading, each in Hebrew and English with a takeaway.
Lehavas David
Rav Dovid Matisyohu Rabinowitz ›Lehavas David · Rav Dovid Matisyohu RabinowitzKorach's Dispute: Separating from Moshe's LightKorach's sin was to take himself apart from Moshe, believing that a person can reach every height on his own. Yet all the Torah learned in every beis midrash shines by Moshe's…Lehavas David · Rav Dovid Matisyohu RabinowitzKorach's Error: Inquiry Before Simple FaithKorach wanted every mitzvah to pass the test of his own mind first, and so he came to doubt Moshe himself. Dovid HaMelech teaches the right order: “Teach me good reasoning and…Lehavas David · Rav Dovid Matisyohu RabinowitzReceiving Through Submission: Korach Against Creation's OrderHashem built the world so that everything is received from a bestower, as the moon takes all its light from the sun, and what makes a person able to receive is submission…Lehavas David · Rav Dovid Matisyohu RabinowitzOne Sinai, Many Vessels: Korach's MistakeAll of us stood at Sinai and heard the same words, yet each received them by his own vessel, so there truly are levels in grasping Hashem's light. Still, no one may feel superior…Lehavas David · Rav Dovid Matisyohu RabinowitzMoshe's Greatness From Within: The Answer to KorachMost leaders draw their strength from the people they lead, but Moshe's greatness was his own, set in the root of creation like the separation of day and night. Korach, who…Lehavas David · Rav Dovid Matisyohu RabinowitzKorach's Blind Eye: Humility and the Need for a LeaderKorach was clever, but he looked with only one eye: he did not see his own lowliness, so he sought honor and thought he needed no *rav*. Seeing our own smallness lets us stand…Lehavas David · Rav Dovid Matisyohu RabinowitzNo Areivus Without Unity: Korach's Divided CompanyThrough *areivus* each Jew completes what his fellow lacks and shields him with his merit, but only when love binds them together. Korach's company, each man seeking his own…Lehavas David · Rav Dovid Matisyohu RabinowitzSeparate from Them: The Tzaddik as the Channel of LifeOur prayers, Torah and mitzvos rise through our bond with the tzaddik of the generation, and through him blessing comes down to us; whoever cuts himself off from him cuts himself…Lehavas David · Rav Dovid Matisyohu RabinowitzThe Cloud Over Korach's Soul: Moshe's Hidden RepairA tzaddik can help a person in two ways: with plain words of rebuke, and by quietly praying to repair the root of his soul. Moshe tried both with Korach, but one act of mockery…