Korach 5786 – It’s not your Job

Love it or hate it, Israel is in election mode. A meaningless cycle of mudslinging and narrative manipulation is being thrust into innocent citizens’ lives at a worrying pace.

Mas Hachnasa is also taking part—but in its own unique way. The head of the ITA (Israel Tax Authority) laid out what he believes should be the budget for 2027: all the wonderful new tax hikes he’d love to see. No minimum threshold on rental income. Scrap the Eilat VAT exemption. No more VAT-free Amazon and Next orders.

It’s all great (NOT!), but he seems to have forgotten that his role is to manage an organisation, not determine policy. That will be decided by the government of the day—whomever the electorate chooses as the least terrible option.

In this week’s parsha, we also see someone getting a bit ahead of themselves. Korach is out for the top job, seeking to make himself the Kohen Gadol. Moshe’s response is startling:

“If a creation should be created and the land opens its mouth to swallow them and all that they own, and they will go down alive into the abyss, then you shall know that these people have angered Hashem.” (16:30)

Rashi explains that Moshe was saying: if a sinkhole already exists, Hashem should use it—and if not, He should create one on the spot.

Why was this so important?

The Sefer HaIkrim (4:22) says that it is fundamental to our belief system that a tzaddik of sufficient righteousness has complete control over nature. They can command, and the laws of nature must follow. For example, when Eliyahu decreed that rain should stop to punish the people for their idolatry, it did.

So too here—Moshe saw that Korach was not challenging him and his brother personally; he was challenging the very institution of a tzaddik. The idea that a person can grow and develop themselves into a position of power and stature that the layman simply cannot attain.

Moshe proved this by demonstrating, with precision, the power that Hashem grants to those who follow His will.

We live in an age where everyone—and everyone’s opinion—is treated as equal. The Torah teaches us that power and stature in society should be earned through self-development, and that positions of authority should be given to those who can fulfil them meaningfully.

For any sinkhole related or other financial issues you require assistance with please reach out at [email protected].

Good Shabbos.