Last week, we explored the false unity and inherent instability of Korach’s rebellion.
In this week’s class, we will look beyond the loose group of rebels to consider the standing of the rest of the nation. Did they stand with Korach or against him? Who did Korach assemble in Numbers 16:19, and what sort of guilt did they bear for his rebellion? Why was it important to “separate yourselves from among this congregation” (ibid. 16:21)? We will compare approaches of several scholars, including Ramban, Abarbanel, Malbim, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, and Nechama Leibowitz.