KORACH’S BIG LESSON · Sukkat Shalom B'nei Noach

בס”ד

Long ago, the Jewish people were traveling through the desert.

Hashem chose Moses to lead the people.

Hashem also chose Aaron for a special job. Aaron was the High Priest.

A man named Korach wanted that special job too.

Wanting to be close to Hashem was not wrong.

It is good to want to do good things.

But Korach made a big mistake.

He wanted to choose his own job instead of accepting the job Hashem gave him.

He became angry.

He argued with Moses.

Soon, more people joined the argument.

The people stopped working together.

Everyone felt sad.

Moses said, “Everyone has an important job.”

Not everyone has the same job.

But every good job matters.

Here is an example.

In your classroom, one child gets to feed the class pet.

You really want to do it too.

That is a good feeling because you want to help.

But if you get angry, shout, or grab the food bowl, people will get upset.

Instead, you can ask, “How else can I help?”

Maybe you can hand out papers or clean the tables.

Those jobs are important too.

Korach teaches us a big lesson:

It is good to have big dreams.

It is good to want to be close to Hashem.

But we must follow the rules.

And we should be happy with the special job Hashem gives each of us.

By Rabbi Moshe Bernstein and Angelique Sijbolts

Source: Likutei Sichos Vol. 18 page 187. Rambam Laws of Shmita and Yovel 13:13. Sanhedrin 59a.

If you want more questions for contemplation, SEE THE OTHER BLOGS FROM RABBI MOSHE BERNSTEIN