16 Jun THE PROCESSIONAL

In the late 1800s, French botanist, Jean-
Henri Fabre, conducted a study on pine

processionary caterpillars. He lined them up
around the circumference of a planter. The
head of each caterpillar touched the end of
the one before it, and all together they
formed a full circle. The planter was filled
with earth, over which Fabre placed a layer
of pine needles, the caterpillars’ favorite
food.
The caterpillars earned their title
“processionary”, for they blindly followed
the leader, the caterpillar inching in front of
them. For days they marched in circles,
never deviating from the path of the
caterpillar ahead of them, despite food lying
only inches away. Eventually, they died from
sheer exhaustion and starvation.
The tragedy of the processionary caterpillars
is not limited to insects. Human beings can
also become trapped in cycles of thoughtless
behavior, blindly following others without
considering where the path leads. We must
ask ourselves, who are our leaders, who are
we following. Are we circling aimlessly, not

stopping to think, not realizing that one can

be their own worst enemy, with self-
destructive behavior. There are so many

stories that illustrate this, whether in politics,
sports, finance, and even in everyday life.
This week’s parsha, introduces us to Korach,
a first cousin to Moshe and Aaron. A
prominent man, a member of Shevet Levi,
honored with being one of the carriers of the
Aron HaKodesh. Korach was wealthy and
influential, had status and prestige. Yet, for
Korach, all this wasn’t enough. He wanted
more and more. He became consumed with a
craving for power and feelings of jealousy
towards Moshe and Aaron. He questioned
their leadership – why them and not he, a
jealousy that was burning inside him.
“Vayikach Korach, and Korach took.”
(Bamidbar 16:1) The opening posuk of this
week’s parsha, simply states that he took.
Took what? Rashi explains that Korach took
himself to a different side. He separated
himself from the people with plans of
creating machlokes, strife and dissension.
An intent to create division amongst the
nation.
Rashi further comments that Korach was
able to “take” others with the power of his

words. A total of 250 others, described as
“roshei sanhedraos, heads of courts”. He
was an articulate and eloquent speaker, and
with his rhetoric, Korach was able to make
an impact upon others. He turned to the
nation with words that touched their
emotions, telling them they are all kedoshim,
all holy, all deserving. That they all stood at
Sinai, hearing the words of HaShem.
Was Korach really promising anything to the
others? At the end of the day, it was about
Korach, raising himself to a higher position.
It was fueled by Korach being envious of
Moshe and Aaron, and desiring to elevate
himself to a position of leadership. An
obsession with power and honor that
ultimately led to his own downfall. As we
read in this week’s Pirkei Avos, “Hakin’ah,
v’ha’ta’ava, v’hakavod motzee-in es
ha’odom min haolam, Jealousy, lust and the
pursuit of honor remove one from this
world.” (Avos 4:28) Strong emotions that
can bring a person to his downfall. Feelings
that can cause one to think irrationally and
make poor, even harmful decisions.
Emotions that are so powerful and all
consuming, “removing him from this
world”, preventing one from functioning
normally with others. An all-encompassing
state of mind that can make one physically
ill, creating unnecessary stress and anxiety,
even bringing on an untimely death,
literally being removed from this world.
What was Korach thinking? Did he really
believe that he could succeed? He knew in
his heart of hearts that Moshe and Aaron
were most beloved by Bnei Yisroel. It was
Moshe that led the nation out of Egypt and
through the desert. Aaron was their Kohein
Gadol, a man of peace, going out of his
way to bring shalom amongst the people.
Despite all of that, Korach turned to the
nation, attempting to sow discord and
rebellion.
Korach spoke to the people when they
were most vulnerable. He didn’t begin his
uprising at the crossing of the sea, or after
the giving of the Torah, but following the
episode of the meraglim, the scouts. It was
then, when Bnei Yisroel found out that
their journey through the desert will take
much longer than expected, and their entry
to Eretz Yisroel will not come so soon, that
Korach pounced. He made them feel
important and valued at a time when they
were pained.
Imagine Korach’s followers standing
around as Korach confronted Moshe with
his cynical words. There will always be
those who feel big by following a brazen
personality.
We still must ask, didn’t Korach’s
followers realize all the good that Moshe

did for them? The answer may be that
disappointment and frustration clouded their
judgment, making them more susceptible to
Korach’s message. Challenging Moshe’s
leadership, publicly disparaging an
established leader, created an opportunity
for some to raise their self-image. They
became followers of Korach, no different
than the processionary caterpillars, blindly
and thoughtlessly following a leader. Never
giving thought that they were on a path of
self-destruction.
There was one man, On ben Peles, who
thanks to his wife, got off the path of
destruction. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 109b)
teaches she convinced On that he has nothing
to gain by being a part of Korach’s rebellious
group. She explained that regardless of the
outcome of the power struggle, On will
remain On – his standing will not be
elevated, his stature and position will remain
unchanged. On thought it out, and realized
his wife’s advice was on target.
“Chochmas nashim bansah baysah – A
woman’s wisdom builds her home. (Mishlei
14:1). Rashi comments that this refers to the
wife of On, who with her timely advice,
keen wisdom and understanding, prevailed
upon her husband to refrain from being part
of Korach’s assembly.
The same verse continues, “But the foolish
wife tears her home down with her own
hands.” These words refer to the wife of
Korach, who nudged and egged him on,
persuading him that he was indeed worthy of
being a leader.
There are times in life when our vision is
clouded, our thinking unclear, our minds
confused. These are times when it is easy to
get on the wrong track. To follow “a leader”,
to be swayed by a negative influencer, to fall
into the trap of peer pressure, becoming part
of “everyone is doing it”. The lesson of
Korach is to be cognizant of who we follow,
and why. Unlike the processionary
caterpillars, we possess the ability to stop,
reflect, and choose our direction. The lesson
of Korach is that before joining the
procession, we must ask where it is heading.
We should all merit HaShem’s guidance to
always be on the right track.