In this week's Parsha we read about the rebellion that Korach and his followers staged against Moshe Rabbenu. Korach and his followers felt it was unfair that Moshe Rabbenu appointed his brother Aharon to be the High Priest and they sought that position for themselves. Everyone understood that there could only be one High Priest but nevertheless Korach and 250 of his followers all claimed that they should be given the position.

Moshe responded to the rebellion by telling all of the people who claimed stake to bring a firepan with incense offering. These men knew that whoever's offering would be received would be the High Priest while all the other men would die. It is difficult to understand how all of these people were willing to "bet" their lives on the belief that they would become the High Priest. Even more puzzling is that Korach was one of the most prestigious people, he was extremely wealthy, he was a respected leader within his tribe and a scholar. He basically had it all. What was he missing? The extra honor that comes along with being the High Priest? What he had wasn't enough?

I think we can look at the statement of our Sages that says jealousy, lust and honor remove a person from this world. In their jealousy and pursuit of honor these men acted entirely irrational. They were completely blinded by their desires and this led to their deaths.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath