Passive vs Aggressive
When Actions Speak Louder Than Words
As human beings we take it for granted that we have certain qualities which can get us into deep trouble and we would be much better off avoiding them. As these are “part of being human” we tend to overlook it inwardly, yet at the same time we get hurt when those qualities are directed towards us.
In Sefer Bamidbar, we learn about seven sins of the Bnei Yisrael in the desert:
The Misonenim
Asking for meat
Miriam and Aharon speaking about Moshe
The Meraglim
The Maapilim
The Mekoshesh
Korach
The Izhbitzer1 explains that we have 613 mitzvos which allow us to navigate our actions in this world. These 7 incidents represent 7 additional personal refinements of qualities which each person needs to work on themselves. These are generally matters of extreme sensitivity where there is a very thin line between that which is correct and that which is not. The Izhbitzer elaborates that the refinement represented by Korach is being narrow minded, which is also a very thin line between right and wrong and generally can lead to machlokes.
I would like to posit the following idea regarding Korach and that is that we really do not know the full story. This is a story which can be understood from the most simple level to a very advanced level. In fact the story itself is rather ambiguous, making it difficult to draw a clear conclusion as to what happened, even on a simple level.
Ironically, and perhaps purposely, this was the sin of Korach. He jumped to conclusions where things were ambiguos and not clear to him.
I invite you to utilize the comments section below to let me know what you think about this and if I am wrong in my understanding.
If you read the Parashah carefully, you will notice that Korach does not say a word. Rashi does quote a midrash where he asked Moshe about wearing a Tallis which was fully Techeiles, but we do not see that he says anything in this Parashah.
In fact the terminology of the Torah to describe Korach’s action is VaYikach, that he took. This too is not clear, what did he take?
This pasuk is so ambiguous that almost every commentator offers a different interpretation. For example:
Rashi - Korach took himself to a 'different side';
Ramban - he took an "eytzah" (counsel) into his heart;
Ibn Ezra & Chizkuni - he took 'other people';
Seforno - he took the 250 'national leaders'.
The common denominator of the above interpretations is that Korach picked himself apart. He felt that not everything was as rosy as it was presented, so there must be another way to serve Hashem, a better way, a different way. Why do we need to do it Moshe’s way?
Therefore, he wore an entirely blue Tallis. His actions spoke for themselves and people who were attracted to this rebellious streak gathered around him. This movement grew to the point where the people said “Rav Lachem - Why are you our leader, let’s spread the wealth?” Moshe tried negotiating with Korach and his people, but they remained silent. Korach was stuck in his narrow worldview and was completely committed to his imagined outcome. He left no room to listen, learn, explain, adjust his position, compromise or make peace. He refused to broaden his horizons. Korach and his cohorts had jumped to a conclusion and were stuck in it, they could not see past their own bias to understand the bigger picture.
Korach may have had the best intentions, but as he didn’t say anything, his silence became an agreement to what those surrounding him were saying in his name and he thereby became their leader. Silence kills. There is a time to be silent and a time to speak. Sometimes, to be on the right side of history, is to be silent, many times it requires speaking up, clarifying, seeking to understand. To remain quiet is to be complicit.
There was another figure who was quiet - Noach. Tasked with saving the world, he didn’t say a word. His silence and his actions, caused those around him to jeer at him.
The silence and actions of Korach caused those around him to jeer at Moshe. This silence earned them eternal silence in the bowels of the earth, as they were swallowed up by the ‘mouth’ of the earth.
The Torah tells us that we should not be like Korach, however it does not tell us not to be like Noach. When your action is provocative and you do little to clarify it, it makes room for presumptions and can start machlokes. However, when your action is passive, and you don’t clarify it, it is just a missed opportunity.
Perhaps the thin line of machlokes starts when you should say something and you don’t or when you shouldn’t say something and you do. It can go either way, but to be a leader you must provide clarity and to do that, you cannot let people jump to conclusions about what you are thinking. To be a follower is to question respectfully and seek to understand that which you cannot wrap your head around. Korach was neither.
Like Korach, many of us too often double down on our opinions, narrow our circle of intellectual and social engagement, create echo chambers in which we self-righteously confirm our own beliefs, accuse the “other” of immorality or stupidity, and refuse to connect through deep and meaningful conversation with people whose views differ from our own.
We sometimes become so sure of ourselves or so committed to a cause that we forget the humanity of those on the other side and we neglect the powerful art of dialogue. The earth may not be swallowing us as punishment, but we nonetheless face dire consequences: We sacrifice civility, diminish hopefulness, suffer from despair, breed anger, and miss opportunities for reconciliation and compromise.
The Torah tells us do not be like Korach. Do not be ambiguous. Either be a leader or a follower, widen your view so you won’t jump to conclusions - as that will take you nowhere.
Mei Hashiloach Volume 2 Korach