24 Jun WORD POWER

“Vayikach Korach, and Korach took…..”
In this week’s parsha, we learn of Korach,
a first cousin to Moshe and Aaron. A man
who was consumed by the green-eyed
monster of jealousy, envious of Moshe’s
leadership.
Korach had his own position of prestige
and honor. He was one of the carriers of
the Aaron HaKodesh. He was respected,
successful and wealthy. But it wasn’t
enough. He wasn’t satisfied. He wanted
more. He wanted what Moshe had. He
became plagued with thoughts of why
Moshe and not me. Thoughts that didn’t
allow him to think rationally.
The Hebrew word for man is adam,
spelled aleph-dalet-mem. If we scramble
the letters, we have the word ma’od,
mem-aleph-dalet. Ma’od, meaning a lot,
more. Man is a creature that wants. It’s
not enough, we desire ma’od, more and
more.
Korach was the quintessential orator,
dynamic and charismatic. He knew what

to say, how to say, and when to say. He
knew how to play on peoples’ emotions,
and rouse up a crowd.
The episode of Korach follows that of the
meraglim, the scouts. Korach reached out
to the people when they were most
vulnerable, worried about settling the
land, and concerned about their future.
“Vayikach Korach, and Korach took…..”
Rashi explains that he “took” his
followers with the power of words,
influencing 250 people. Amongst them,
were members of the Sanhedrin and
zekeinim, elders of the nation.
Ramban teaches vayikach to mean that he
allowed the words of his heart to take
control over him. He let his emotions
rule.
It’s no coincidence that this week’s perek
in Avos teaches, “Jealousy, lust and the
desire for honor, remove a person from
the world.” (Avos 4:28). Strong emotions,
that if allowed to take control, can lead to
one’s downfall. Feelings that cause a
person to think irrationally, resulting in
self-destructive decisions. Emotions that

can be all consuming, literally
removing one from this world,
making it impossible to
distinguish right from wrong,
good from bad.
We are reminded of the power of
jealousy in every Shemoneh
Esrai, as we daven that others
should not be jealous of us, nor
should we be jealous of others.
Sadly, even during these perilous
days for our people – In Eretz
Yisroel and throughout the world – we
have so-called leaders – politicians and
others – who seek to divide and create
strife, who look to criticize and
undermine. And, when these words come
from our own fellow Jews, modern day
Korachs, it is even more destructive, if
not tragic.
In contrast to Korach’s negative words,
this past Sunday, Prime Minister
Binyamin Netanyahu spoke heartfelt
words, delivering a most meaningful,
uplifting message. A message befitting a
leader of Israel.
Following the US airstrike on Iran’s
nuclear facilities, Netanyahu held a
press conference. He spoke of
participating in the March of the Living
in Auschwitz. He shared how at the
time, he had a strong desire to wrap
himself in a taalis and recite the holy
words of Shema Yisrael. Words that
have been with our nation throughout
the ages. A prayer uttered by Yaakov
avinu, and said generation after
generation.
Netanyahu related that before launching
the historic mission against Iran, his
heart led him to the kosel. Once again,
he felt the need to don a taalis, to wrap
himself under its protective covering. It
was his time to turn to HaShem. He
davened for the success of the chayalim,
the soldiers, the pilots, the commanders,
the security of the nation, for shalom,
peace for all of Israel. So much to ask
for, so much at stake.
Netanyahu told of writing a kvittel, a
note to insert into one of the cracks in
the kosel. His note read, “Hein Am
k’lavi yokum, Behold, a people rises
like a lioness.” (Bamidbar 23:24)
This past Sunday, Netanyahu returned
to the kosel. This time, with a prayer of
gratitude and a request for continued
success. As Netanyahu said, “Gratitude
for the incredible bravery of the IDF and
Mossad, the resilience of our people on

the home front, and the unprecedented
partnership with my close friend,
President Trump.”
Netanyahu closed the press conference
with a most inspirational message. “The
most important party in the Knesset is
Siyata Dish’maya (an Aramaic expression
meaning with the help of HaShem). We
witnessed incredible courage from our
fighters and citizens, and immense help
from our allies – but above all, we had the
help of the Ribbono shel Olam….. Even
if there are difficult days ahead, with
HaShem’s help, greater and better days
await. Days of unity, strength and peace.”
Words our nation needed to hear. Words
of strength and belief.
Two great orators. Two leaders who were
in a position to leave their influence. One,
Korach, looked to build himself up, and
in the process bring down others. The
other, Netanyahu, used his position of
leadership to give kavod, to honor
HaShem, telling the world that as the
leader of Israel, we thank G-d.
Each one of us, in our own way, big or
small, can be an influencer. HaShem has
gifted us with the power of speech. The
ability to use our words, and leave a mark
upon others. To use words to show that
we are Am Hanivchar, the Chosen People.
Different from other nations.
The Talmud tells us that we must say
“B’shvilli nivra ha’olam, The world was
created for me.” At first glance, these
words appear to be words of arrogance.
But, with these words, the Talmud is
teaching us an important lesson. B’shvilli,
it is my responsibility, my tafkid, my
mission, to make a change in this world.
What message will I leave behind. What
will I accomplish with my words. It’s in
our hands. We can make a difference. We
can thank HaShem in our everyday
“talk”. We can say baruch HaShem,
b’ezras HaShem, Im yirtzeh HaShem,
b’siyata dishmaya. Or, we can use our
words to knock down and destroy.
The choice is ours.