"The Dialogue We Need": Parshat Korach Dvar Torah

There is a popular image that Jewish people are loquacious, effusive in communication with hand gestures, intonation, use of colorful Yiddish-isms and kibbitzing about all aspects of life in private and in public.

While it has been my pleasure to know many Jews who fit this description, I am also familiar with many who are quiet, reserved, and private.  My experience suggests that most, if not the majority, of Jews I know fall into the second category.

Of course – in reality most of us are somewhere in between, but I am interested to know the reasons that I have perceived what I see as a shift, again, a trend observed in a decidedly un-scientific way, something felt in the kishkes – a growing unwillingness in Jewish communities for individuals to speak up and speak out in constructive ways, a reluctance to enter into dialogue that could help communities grow in spirit and strength.

Korach, Datan and Aviram, leaders of rebellion among the people of Israel have no problems speaking out to make their voices heard.  They walk right up to Moses and Aaron to state their grievances.  If we can leave the circumstances of their recorded fate aside, we notice that their questions and issues are much different from the spoiled child complaints of the people for better water or food in the wilderness.  Their words suggest a well-thought-out proposal designed to create a constructive dialogue:  All of Israel are holy, they feel that Moses and Aaron have lorded it over them.  They seem to be coming together as a people, the hundreds of so-called ‘rebels’ to voice their thoughts.  Are we witnessing the beginning of democracy here?

Moses, to his credit, also speaks up to God saying to an angered God, “One man has sinned, will You unleash your anger against everyone?”  The Or Ha’chayim makes the astute observation that Korach has not really sinned to the extent of receiving the ultimate penalty.  He has only engaged in mumbling against God’s order.  Chizkuni observes that this verse is worded such as to suggest that there is no surprise here, that it is no surprise that Korach sins, or any other person among the people, since we have an inborn tendency toward this behavior.  Moses, once again, has the courage to speak up and speak out, not to roll with God’s intended response.

My hope is that all of us, myself included, might begin to be more willing to engage in constructive dialogue across the board:  about our synagogue, about issues that affect the Jewish community, about our own spiritual struggles and hopes.  There are many avenues for this dialogue:  with me and with leaders of our community, through the Jewish community relations council, the community relations advisory board, with local elected officials, the list goes on…

Well thought out and well intentioned dialogue, sharing issues and struggles so that we might find answers together, are all part of existing within a living Jewish community.  The real danger is that if we stay too silent, that our communities will disappear.  

This Shabbat I am inviting the exchange in our communities that can revitalize our connections with our institutions, that can revitalize the institutions themselves, and that can lead us to grow in our thinking and leadership.

While the Torah construes Korach as a leader of incitement, I suggest we take notice of his willingness for engagement.

Let’s begin the active dialogue today.

Shabbat Shalom.