In this week’s parshah, we learn that the sons of Korach did not follow their father nor his teachings. As it states, “And the sons of Korach did not die (BaMidbar 26:11).” The sons of Korach were spared from the fate decreed upon their father because they did not follow in his ways.
Many psalms are attributed to the descendants of Korach. In T’hilim, David HaMelech declares: “Praiseworthy is the man who did not follow the counsel of the wicked, neither did he stand in the way of sinners nor sit in the company of scorners (1:1).” The Midrash (Yalkut Shim’oni, Korach, ch. 16) explains that “praiseworthy” is referring to the sons of Korach.
The Midrash (Yalkut Shim’oni 752) relates that the sons of Korach were in a dilemma. They were sitting with their father Korach when Moshe appeared. They said to one another: “If we arise for Moshe, we offend our father. If we remain seated, on the other hand, we transgress the mitzvah of giving honor to a Torah Scholar. They decided to fulfill the Torah commandment and rose out of respect for Moshe Rabbeinu. It was in this merit that they were saved for, at that moment, thoughts of repentance stirred in their hearts.
This took great courage on their part. In life, we’re often told to “go with the flow.” But the sons of Korach felt that it was time to instigate change and decided to go against the flow. The sons of Korach were unique in that they were seekers of truth. This is what saved them. They had an honest conviction to do what’s right.
List of People Who Need a r’fuah sh’leimah (a complete recovery)
Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.
Yonasan ben Sigalit
David ben Sarah
Yaakov ben Simchah
Eliyahu ben Margalit
Yitzchak ben Mazal
Yitzchak Chaim ben Sarah
Yosef ben Nosrat
Moshe ben Mazal
Mordechai ben Chanah
Shlomo ben Miriam
Yosef ben Renee
Nesanel ben Miriam
Ariel ben Sarah
Velvel Wolf Zev ben Leah
Chaim Yonah ben Ilana
Fredel bas Hendil
Rachel Leah bas Esther
Adele bas Sarah
Ava bas Ilana Esther
Sonia bas Rachel
Tovah Yocheved bas Esther Bukas
Ruchama Perel Malkah Leah bas Chanah Serel
Esther Hadasah bas Devorah
Ora bas Naomi
Miriam bas Rivkah
Elka Rachel bas Sarah Malkah
Lielle Devorah bas Esther
Blume bas Esthel Rivkah
Tziporah bas Fruma
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