Humility – Parshas Korach 5769
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Loading ...ויקח קרח… (טז:א).
“And Korach took…”(16:1).
We all know the tragic story of Korach. He perished along with his entire family and followers. What lesson can we learn from all of this? What caused Korach’s downfall?
The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 58:3) tells us that Korach was a wise man and from the carriers of the Aron. Why is this piece of information of relevance to us?
The Daas Sofer brings out the lesson here. The Aron contained no whole numbers in all of its measurements. Only broken numbers were found, it was 2½ by 1½ by 1½ Amos. Additionally, we are taught that the Aron miraculously took up no physical space! The Luchos, Tablets, representing the Torah, were placed inside the Aron. This is to hint to the Gemara in Eruvin (55a) that says that Torah is not found in those that are haughty. Only the Aron which was “broken” and took up no area was able to carry the Torah. Chazal also teach us that Hashem graciously accepts the prayers of a person who is submissive and humbled before Him. The Aron was in the Kodesh HaKadashim, the place through which our prayers ascend up to Heaven. The Aron thus spoke the message of humbleness. Only when someone breaks their ego, can they be a true carrier of Torah.
Moshe was the epitome of humility. Rabbi Chaim Volozhin says that the fact that Moshe was the man who possessed the greatest Torah knowledge ever and was also the most humble person to live is not coincidental. Rather, it was conditional to his greatness. Proportionately to how humble one is, that is how much Torah he can acquire. It was only because Moshe worked so hard on mastering humility that he was able to maximize his Torah potential as well. Reb Chaim concludes by stating that indeed if one would theoretically achieve the humility equaled to Moshe, then he too could acquire the vast Torah knowledge of Moshe as well!
Korach’s ego was not interested in any of this. He let his haughtiness push him to challenge the faithful Moshe Rabbeinu. Chazal are teaching us that although Korach held the Aron and had its message of submissiveness right in front of his face, nevertheless, he allowed his ego to cause his own destruction and ignored its very lesson.
Indeed, self-confidence is an important ingredient for success in life, however, haughtiness is destructive. One important and clarifying distinction between them is to understand how they are in truth opposites. Self-confidence focuses on the happy feelings one gains from their past accomplishments and capabilities. It then motivates, propels and inspires one to go further and accomplish more! Haughtiness is self worship in leu of past accomplishments, leading one to a demand respect. It breeds the feeling of complacency. We must know who we are, be proud of what we have done, and work hard to use our talents for the purpose of serving Hashem and helping and caring for others!
Categories: Parshas Korach Humility
