PERASHA KORACH
07/05/2024 10:50:27 AM
"Now Korach presumed, the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehat,, the son of Levi…" (16,1)
Descendants of the righteous
On this verse Rashi says: The verse does not mention "the son of Yakov (though Levi was the son of Yakov). This was because Yakov Avinu had asked for mercy for himself that his name not be mentioned in the controversy of Korach and his entire company – this was according to what Yakov said before his passing, "In their gatherings my honor may not be identified".
Concerning this Rabbi Eliyahu Kletzkin said: This thing is seemingly wondrous. Is there any mercy in not mentioning the name of Yakov in the controversy of Korach? We would think that Yakov Avinu had to specifically ask that his name be mentioned, in order to arouse mercy on his grandchildren and great grandchildren – and then they would have been saved in his merit!
However, continues Rabbi Kletzkin – this is not so. It is precisely because of the trait of mercy towards his descendants that Yakov Avinu asked that his name not be mentioned in the controversy of Korach, his great great grandchild. For when one who falters and sins is a descendant of great people, this fact makes the ruling and punishment for him stricter, for he has deviated from the path of his holy ancestors.
Shabbat Shalom!!