Korach (parsha)

Korach or Korah (קרח — Hebrew for the name "Korah,” which in turn means “baldness, ice, hail, or frost,” the second word, and the first distinctive word, in the parshah) is the 38th weekly Torah portion ("parshah") in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the fifth in the book of Numbers. It constitutes ) Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, but they refused to come. () Moses and Aaron fell on their faces and implored God not to punish the whole community. () Just as Moses finished speaking, the earth opened and swallowed them, their households, and all Korah’s people, and the Israelites fled in terror. () The story of Korah also appears in the Qur'an, where Korah is named Qarun or Qaaroon (see Biblical narratives and the Qur'an).

A plague upon rebels

The next day, the whole Israelite community railed against Moses and Aaron for bringing death upon God’s people. () Moses told Aaron to take the fire pan, put fire from the altar and incense on it, and take it to the community to make expiation for them and to stop a plague that had begun, and Aaron did so. () The next day, Moses entered the Tent and Aaron’s staff had sprouted, blossomed, and borne almonds. ()

Duties of priests and Levites

God assigned the Levites to Aaron to aid in the duties of the Tent of Meeting. () And God gave them the oil, wine, grain, and money that the Israelites brought. () God told Moses to instruct the Levites to set aside one-tenth of the tithes they received as a gift to God. ( derived from the same Hebrew root as the word “noon” ("tzaharayim"), the Gemara deduced from “son of Izhar” that Korah was a son who brought upon himself anger hot as the noon sun. As the name Kohath in did not say “the son of Jacob,” and Rabbi Samuel bar Isaac answered that Jacob had prayed not to be listed amongst Korah's ancestors in to the Hebrew word for “strengthened” ("iber") and deduced from Abiram’s name that he stoutly refused to repent. The Gemara related the name On in that On was a son who saw and understood. (Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 109b.)

to teach that Korah’s assembly will have no portion in the world to come, as the words “the earth closed upon them” reported that they died in this world, and the words “they perished from among the assembly” implied that they died in the next world, as well. But Rabbi Eliezer disagreed, reading 1 Samuel [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt08a02.htm#6 2:6] to speak of Korah’s assembly when it said: “The Lord kills, and makes alive; He brings down to the grave, and brings up.” The Gemara cited a Tanna who concurred with Rabbi Eliezer’s position: Rabbi Judah ben Bathyra likened Korah’s assembly to a lost article, which one seeks, as Psalm [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt26b9.htm#176 119:176] said: “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant.” (Mishnah Sanhedrin 10:3; Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 108a, 109b.)

Numbers chapter 18

A non-Jew asked Shammai to convert him to Judaism on condition that Shammai appoint him High Priest. Shammai pushed him away with a builder’s ruler. The non-Jew then went to Hillel, who converted him. The convert then read Torah, and when he came to the injunction of (Mishnah Terumot 1:1–11:10; Tosefta Terumot 1:1–10:18; Jerusalem Talmud Terumot 1a–.)

Tractate Bikkurim in the Mishnah, Tosefta, and Jerusalem Talmud interpreted the laws of the first fruits in and [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0526.htm 26:1–11.] (Mishnah Bikkurim 1:1–3:12; Tosefta Bikkurim 1:1–2:16; Jerusalem Talmud Bikkurim 1a–26b.)

Tractate Demai in the Mishnah, Tosefta, and Jerusalem Talmud, interpreted the laws related to produce where one is not sure if it has been properly tithed in accordance with )
*One who is not a Kohen must not serve in the sanctuary ()
*Not to redeem the firstborn of a kosher domestic animal ()
*The Levite must set aside a tenth of his tithe ()

Haftarah

The haftarah for the parshah is 1 Samuel [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt08a11.htm#14 11:14–12:22.]

When the parshah coincides with Shabbat Rosh Chodesh (as it does in 2007), the haftarah is Isaiah [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1066.htm 66:1–24] .

Further reading

The parshah has parallels or is discussed in these sources:

Biblical

*Exodus [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0213.htm#12 13:1–2] (firstborn); [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0213.htm#12 13:12–13] (firstborn); [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0222.htm#28 22:28–29] (firstborn).
* (firstborn); [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0426.htm#9 26:9–11] (Korach, Dathan, Abiram).
*Deuteronomy [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0515.htm#19 15:19–23] (firstborn).
*Jeremiah [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1131.htm#8 31:8] (firstborn).
*Ezekiel [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1207.htm#10 7:10] (rod blossomed); [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1208.htm#9 8:9–12] (elders burning incense).
*Psalms [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt2616.htm#5 16:5] (God as inheritance); [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt2655.htm#16 55:16] (go down alive into the nether-world); [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt26a5.htm#26 105:26] (Moses as God’s chosen); [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt26a6.htm#16 106:16–18,] [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt26a6.htm#29 29–30] (rebellion and earth swallowing; plague as God’s punishment).

Early nonrabbinic

*Pseudo-Philo [http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/bap/bap32.htm 16:1–17:4.]
*Josephus, "Antiquities of the Jews" [http://www.interhack.net/projects/library/antiquities-jews/b4c2.html 4:2:1–4,] [http://www.interhack.net/projects/library/antiquities-jews/b4c3.html 3:1–4,] [http://www.interhack.net/projects/library/antiquities-jews/b4c4.html 4:1–2, 4.] Circa 93–94. Reprinted in, e.g., "The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged, New Updated Edition". Translated by William Whiston, 102–07. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Pub., 1987. ISBN 0-913573-86-8.
*Jude [http://www.Biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=72&chapter=1&verse=11&version=31&context=verse 1:11.]
*Pausanias. [http://www.theoi.com/Text/Pausanias2C.html "Description of Greece", 2:31:10.] Greece, 2nd Century C.E. (After Heracles leaned his club against the image of Hermes, the club took root and grew.).
*Qur'an: ; ; .

Classical rabbinic

*Mishnah: Terumot 1:1–11:10; Challah 1:3; 4:9; Chagigah 1:4; Sanhedrin 9:6; 10:3; Avot 5:6, 17; Bekhorot 8:8. Land of Israel, circa 200 C.E. Reprinted in, e.g., "The Mishnah: A New Translation". Translated by Jacob Neusner, 93–120, 148, 157, 329, 604–05, 686, 688, 806. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1988. ISBN 0-300-05022-4.
*Tosefta: Demai 1:1–8:24; Terumot 1:1–10:18; Maaser Sheni 3:11; Challah 2:7, 9; Shabbat 15:7; Chagigah 3:19; Sotah 7:4; Sanhedrin 13:9; Bekhorot 1:5. Land of Israel, circa 300 C.E. Reprinted in, e.g., "The Tosefta: Translated from the Hebrew, with a New Introduction". Translated by Jacob Neusner, 1:77–202, 313, 339, 414, 677, 861; 2:1190, 1469. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Pub., 2002. ISBN 1-56563-642-2.
*Jerusalem Talmud: Demai 1a–; Terumot 1a–; Maaser Sheni 4a, 5a, 53b–54a; Orlah 18a, 20a; Bikkurim 1a–26b. Land of Israel, circa 400 C.E. Reprinted in, e.g., "Talmud Yerushalmi". Edited by Chaim Malinowitz, Yisroel Simcha Schorr, and Mordechai Marcus, vols. 10, 12. Brooklyn: Mesorah Pubs., 2006–2008.
*Babylonian Talmud: Berakhot 21b, 45a, 47a–b; Shabbat 25a, 26a, 89a, 127b, 135b; Eruvin 19a, 31b; Pesachim 23a, 34a, 35b, 54a, 64b, 73a, 121b; Yoma 24a, 27a, 44a, 45b, 52b, 74b; Sukkah 9a; Beitzah 3b, 12b–13b; Rosh Hashanah 12b; Megillah 9b, 23b; Moed Katan 5a–b, 12a, 13a, 16a, 18b, 28a; Chagigah 7b, 10b, 11b; Yevamot 74a, 85b–86b, 89b, 99b; Ketubot 8b, 72a, 102a; Nedarim 7b, 12b, 18b, 38a, 39b, 64b; Nazir 4b; Sotah 2a, 13b, 15a; Gittin 11b, 23b, 25a, 30b, 52a; Kiddushin 11b, 17a, 29a, 46b, 52b–53a; Bava Kamma 11b, 13a, 67a, 69b, 78a, 79a, 80a, 110b, 114a, 115b; Bava Metzia 6b, 22a, 56a, 71b, 88b, 102b; Bava Batra 74a, 84b, 112a, 118b, 143a; Sanhedrin 17a, 37b, 52a–b, 74b, 82b–84a, 90b, 108a, 109b–10a; Makkot 4a, 12a, 13a, 14b, 17a–b, 19a–b, 23b; Shevuot 4b, 17b, 39a; Avodah Zarah 15a, 24b; Horayot 12a; Zevachim 16a, 28a, 32a, 37a, 44b–45a, 49b, 57a, 60b, 63a, 73a, 81a, 88b, 91a, 97b, 102b; Menachot 9a, 19b, 21b, 23a, 37a, 54b, 58a, 73a, 77b, 83a, 84b, 99a; Chullin 68a, 99a, 120b, 130a, 131a–32b, 133b, 134b, 135b–36a; Bekhorot 3b–4b, 5b, 6b–7a, 10b, 11b–12b, 17a, 26b, 27b, 31b–33a, 34a, 47b, 49a, 50a, 51a–b, 53b, 54b, 56b, 58b–59a, 60a; Arakhin 4a, 11b, 16a, 28b–29a; Temurah 3a, 4b–5b, 8a, 21a–b, 24a; Keritot 4a, 5b; Meilah 8b; Tamid 26b; Niddah 26a, 29a. Babylonia, 6th Century. Reprinted in, e.g., "Talmud Bavli". Edited by Yisroel Simcha Schorr, Chaim Malinowitz, and Mordechai Marcus, 72 vols. Brooklyn: Mesorah Pubs., 2006.

Medieval

*Avot of Rabbi Natan, 36:3. Circa 700–900 C.E. Reprinted in, e.g., "The Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan." Translated by Judah Goldin, 149. New Haven: Yale Univ. Press, 1955. ISBN 0-300-00497-4. "The Fathers According to Rabbi Nathan: An Analytical Translation and Explanation." Translated by Jacob Neusner, 217. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1986. ISBN 1-55540-073-6.
*Tanna Devei Eliyahu. Seder Eliyyahu Rabbah 67, 77, 83, 106, 117. 10th Century. Reprinted in, e.g., "Tanna Debe Eliyyahu: The Lore of the School of Elijah". Translated by William G. Braude and Israel J. Kapstein, 150, 172, 183, 233, 256. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1981. ISBN 0-8276-0634-6.
*Rashi. "Commentary". [http://www.chabad.org/library/article.asp?AID=9944&showrashi=true Numbers 16–18.] Troyes, France, late 11th Century. Reprinted in, e.g., Rashi. "The Torah: With Rashi’s Commentary Translated, Annotated, and Elucidated". Translated and annotated by Yisrael Isser Zvi Herczeg, 4:189–224. Brooklyn: Mesorah Publications, 1997. ISBN 0-89906-029-3.
*Numbers Rabbah 18:1–23. 12th Century. Reprinted in, e.g., "Midrash Rabbah: Numbers". Translated by Judah J. Slotki. London: Soncino Press, 1939. ISBN 0-900689-38-2.
*Maimonides. "Mishneh Torah", [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/p0003.htm#9 Structure.] Cairo, Egypt, 1170–1180.
*Zohar [http://www.kabbalah.com/k/index.php/p=zohar/zohar&vol=41 3:176a–178b.] Spain, late 13th Century. Reprinted in, e.g, "The Zohar". Translated by Harry Sperling and Maurice Simon. 5 vols. London: Soncino Press, 1934.

Modern

*Thomas Hobbes. "Leviathan", England, 1651. Reprint edited by C. B. Macpherson, 485–86, 505, 563–64. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Classics, 1982. ISBN 0140431950.
*Samson Raphael Hirsch. "Horeb: A Philosophy of Jewish Laws and Observances". Translated by Isidore Grunfeld, 189–95, 261–65. London: Soncino Press, 1962. Reprinted 2002 ISBN 0-900689-40-4. Originally published as "Horeb, Versuche über Jissroel’s Pflichten in der Zerstreuung". Germany, 1837.
*Thomas Mann. "Joseph and His Brothers". Translated by John E. Woods, 55. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005. ISBN 1-4000-4001-9. Originally published as "Joseph und seine Brüder". Stockholm: Bermann-Fischer Verlag, 1943.
*A. M. Klein. “Candle Lights.” Canada, 1944. Reprinted in "The Collected Poems of A.M. Klein", 13. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1974. ISBN 0-07-077625-3.
*Jacob Milgrom. “First fruits, OT.” In "The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible". Supp. vol., 336–37. Nashville, Tenn.: Abingdon, 1976. ISBN 0-687-19269-2.
*Jacob Milgrom. "The JPS Torah Commentary: Numbers: The Traditional Hebrew Text with the New JPS Translation", 129–57, 414–36. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1990. ISBN 0-8276-0329-0.
*Baruch A. Levine. "Numbers 1–20", 4:403–53. New York: Anchor Bible, 1993. ISBN 0-385-15651-0.
*Mary Douglas. "In the Wilderness: The Doctrine of Defilement in the Book of Numbers", 40, 59, 84, 103, 110–12, 122–23, 125, 130–33, 138, 140, 145, 147, 150, 194–95, 203, 211, 246. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993. Reprinted 2004. ISBN 0-19-924541-X.
*Elie Wiesel. “Korah.” "Bible Review" 16 (3) (June 2000): 12–15.

External links

* [http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0416.htm Masoretic text and 1917 JPS translation]
* [http://Bible.ort.org/books/torahd5.asp?action=displaypage&book=4&chapter=16&verse=1&portion=38 Hear the parshah chanted]