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 Rabbeinu 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 arose out of respect for Moshe. 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 special 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.
Amnon ben Rivkah
Yosef Chaim ben Rivkah Rachel
Rafael Yaakov ben Ayelet
Daniel Aharon ben Davida
Yaakov Yisrael Pinchas ben Tovah
Eliezer Yosef ben Avivah Chanah
Yitzchak ben Mazal Tov
Refael Chayim Meir ben Sima Chasha
Shmuel Moshe ben Alta Sayta
Tinok ben Sharona
Shabsai ben Pesha Rachel
Esther Rivkah Chanah bas Tamar
Esther Hadassah bas Devorah
Mitali Naomi bas Gilah Farcha
Jaleh Sarah bas Victoria Devorah
Adinah bas Chanah
Emunah Rivkah bas Zilpah
Aliza Sima bas Shayna Brachah
To add names of individuals who need a r’fuah sh’leimah to next week’s T’hilim column, please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and complete the Google form.
