Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin) |
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com> |
Date: 6/28/2019, 6:03 AM |
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com> |
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com |
In this week's parsha (in Israel) we read about the story of Korach and his rebellion against Moshe and Aharon. Korach was wealthy, smart and was highly regarded among the Jewish People. Nevertheless, he was jealous of the status of Aharon who was appointed the High Priest. Korach had logical arguments and was seemingly fighting for justice, looking to right a wrong, but the driving force of his battle was his jealously and it was not for the sake of Heaven. This jealousy blinded him and his followers and they lost rational thinking. Our sages teach us from this episode that someone who desires and attempts to take something that "isn't his" ends up losing even the things that "are his". All of the wealth and stature that Korach was given from Hashem wasn't enough he wanted something that was not given to him as well, something that Hashem gave to Aharon. In the end, Korach lost his life, family and all of his riches.
Many times we think that what we have isn't enough and that something else really "belongs" to us. We may have very good reasoning behind our thoughts but we must always introspect and figure out if the desire and steps we are taking to gain more are for the sake of Heaven.
Shabbat Shalom,
Heath