Parshas Korach
The machlokes (dispute) instigated by Korach was not for the sake of
Heaven and therefore is not everlasting, while the Talmudic disputes
between Hillel and Shamai were for the sake of Heaven and therefore are
everlasting. (Pirkei Avos 5:20) This is counter-intuitive. We always
appreciate peace and harmony, so wouldn't we expect a 'good' dispute to
eventually dissipate while it would be the 'bad' dispute that lasts
forever?
Korach's reputation is deeply associated with machlokes. Nonetheless, his
proposal was that everyone is equal and that there was therefore no need
for Moshe's leadership. In a sense, then, he was against having
chilukim/differences and he favored equality, so why is he viewed as the
ultimate in machlokes/divisiveness?
There is a fundamental distinction between shalom/peace, on the one hand,
and equality/no differences, on the other.
Shalom does not mean we are the same; in fact it means that we recognize
that we are different from one another and that each of us has a unique
role to play in serving the larger cause of Klal Yisroel's mission in this
world.
For example, shalom bayis (domestic tranquility) doesn't mean that the two
individuals are exactly alike and therefore get along; rather it means
that in spite of their very different natures they work harmoniously
together in pursuing common goals. The peacefulness lies in accepting the
differences and agreeing to work side-by-side toward the common goal.
Similarly, Rashi says that the plague of hail was comprised of fire and
water and that, in order to serve their Creator, the two opposing elements
made peace. (Parshas Vo'era 9:24)
Conversely, machlokes means refusing to recognize that different people
have different roles as a result of their unique and innate talents and
characteristics; I want everyone to be the same even though really we're
not. This is, of course, folly. And anyone who asserts that there are no
differences between us (and that therefore there should be no separation
of roles) is necessarily carrying an agenda - logically it otherwise makes
no sense to blatantly ignore obvious differences. In Korach's case this
agenda was his own jealousy of the position of Kohen Gadol (High Priest)
which he coveted.
[This is based on a shiur of HoRav Yochanan Zweig, Shlita.]
Gal Einai, Copyright © 2006 by Gedalia Litke and Torah.org
