This week’s reading puts to rest the misguided notion that “there are two sides to every argument.” This statement is, at its essence, a truism — so in actual use, it is intended to convey that each side must be exaggerating, that the truth always lies somewhere in the middle.

In our case, Korach accuses Moshe and Aharon of elevating themselves over the congregation, although everyone — and we do mean, quite literally, everyone — saw Moshe lead us out of Egypt, engage in a unique dialog with G-d, ascend Mt. Sinai, descend with the two Tablets, and on and on. And various other people, motivated by their own agendas, side with Korach!

It is possible to be a builder, and it is possible to be a destroyer — not with physical action, but simply by sowing division and discord. One can take the most ridiculous and patently false idea under the sun (mercenaries with bulletproof vests and knives as “peace activists” leaps, of course, to mind), and someone will believe it.

None of us consider ourselves capable of creating division like Korach. But when there is an argument affecting ourselves and our communities, we all must shoulder the responsibility to be discerning and thoughtful, before simply concluding that each of the two sides must both be wrong.

Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Yaakov Menken
Director, Project Genesis – Torah.org

Our reading this week begins with a command to Aaron regarding the lighting of the Menorah. The Torah does not say that Aaron should “ignite” the candles, similar to the blessing when lighting candles on Shabbos or Chanukah, but that he should “make them go up.” To truly ignite a light is to ensure that each flame is capable of continuing to burn on its own.

“Ki Ner Mitzvah v’Torah Ohr, the mitzvah is a lamp and Torah is the light” (Proverbs 6:23). We share the obligation to turn on the lights in every soul. Every holy spark, every Jewish soul can become a flame, and all we must do is help to ignite it. This is true in all ways, but in Torah most of all. Not only to ignite the light, but to hold the candle steady until the flame burns on its own.

How we do that is different for every person, but it can be as simple as passing along an interesting Torah thought that you downloaded from Torah.org or elsewhere. Every other Jewish soul must be ignited, inspired, until each one is a dedicated flame carried into our Jewish future.

Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Yaakov Menken
Director, Project Genesis – Torah.org

This coming week, from Tuesday evening through Thursday night, is the holiday of Shavuos — the day of receipt of the Torah itself, at Mt. Sinai. Our Sages tell us that each holiday brings with it unique spiritual opportunities and energies, making this our annual opportunity to take the Torah as it is placed in our hands.

Please take a look at our Shavuos articles at Torah.org and listen to our Shavuos audio at TorahMedia.com.

May we all be granted abundant blessings on our Torah learning throughout the year, stemming from this great and holy Day!

Good Shabbos, and Good YomTov,

Rabbi Yaakov Menken
Director, Project Genesis – Torah.org