Sicha, Shabbos Pinchas 5737
A. Emerging from the Abyss
In this week’s Torah reading, following the plague among the Jewish people, G-d commands Moses to conduct another census of the nation (Source 1). During the census, the Torah lists the descendants of Korach’s family (Source 2). It then emphasizes that, unlike Datan and Aviram, “the sons of Korach did not die” (Source 3).
Rashi explains that Korach’s sons were initially involved in the conspiracy. However, during the dispute itself, they entertained thoughts of repentance in their hearts. As a result, they did not die. Instead, a fortified elevated place was prepared for them within the abyss into which they had descended (Source 4). The Midrash relates that they eventually emerged and returned to the Land of Israel (Source 5). Rashi also notes that the sons of Korach composed eleven chapters of Psalms and were prophets (Source 6).
Optional Section:
The Rebbe raises several questions about Rashi’s explanation:
- How does Rashi know that Korach’s sons were initially involved in planning the rebellion, rather than merely being swept along with it?
- How does he know that they repented during the dispute itself? It would seem more likely that they repented only later, after hearing Moses’ warning of the impending punishment.
- Why does Rashi emphasize that they repented “in their hearts”? If their repentance was complete, what difference does it make whether it remained only in thought or was also expressed verbally?
B. The Real Story
Rashi was troubled by the unusual punishment of Korach’s sons. On the one hand, they were swallowed into the earth together with the other participants in the rebellion. On the other hand, they remained alive. If they had repented, why were they punished at all? And if they had not repented, why were they not punished in the same way as Datan and Aviram?
Rashi therefore explains that they “entertained thoughts of repentance in their hearts.” Their repentance was genuine, but it remained private and was never made public. Outwardly, they still appeared to be participants in the rebellion. Accordingly, their punishment was measure for measure. In the eyes of the people, they were swallowed into the earth like everyone else. In reality, however, they were not destroyed but were separated from the others and remained alive.
This also explains the Torah’s expression, “they perished from among the people.” Their disappearance was only from the perspective of the people, who saw them participating in the rebellion but were unaware of their repentance. They vanished from among the people, but they did not perish completely.
This is why we first learn in this week’s Torah reading that they survived. Only after the generation in which the rebellion occurred had passed away were the sons of Korach able to emerge, allowing everyone to discover what had happened to them.
The Midrash further relates that Korach knew that the prophet Samuel and the twenty-four priestly divisions would one day descend from him. He used this knowledge to reassure those participating in the rebellion. His sons were therefore drawn into the planning of the revolt as well, believing that they too would attain this future honor.
C. The Power of a Thought of Repentance
From this we learn the extraordinary power of repentance, which is capable of transforming a person completely. Even those who had descended to the point of participating in a rebellion and leading others to sin were ultimately transformed. Although their repentance remained hidden, it not only saved them from complete destruction, but also earned them a secure place of refuge, from which they eventually rose to great spiritual stature.
