Korach’s speech is very logical. He is asking for a democratic system. "For the entire assembly –all of them- are holy and Hashem is among them, why do you exalt yourselves over the congregation of Hashem?" – he said.

Korach is using holy verses from the Torah to build his speech. God said that the people of Israel are a holy people. He also said that God is within the congregation. Those words are well known to the people of Israel. Korach knows how to make good use of words. He is a master in the art of speaking.

Moses is shocked and his first reaction is to fall on his face. Then he decides to let the issue in God’s hands: "In the morning –Moses said- Hashem will make known the one who is His own and the holy one, and He will draw him close to Himself, and whomever He will choose, He will draw close to Himself" (Numbers 16:5).

Then Moses tries to convince Korach and his people to give up the rebellion. Moses speaks to their hearts. "It is not enough for you that the God of Israel has segregated you from the assembly of Israel to draw you near to Himself, to perform the service of the Tabernacle of Hashem, and to stand before the assembly to minister to them? And He drew you near, and all your brethren, the offspring of Levi, with you – yet you seek priesthood, as well" (Numbers 16: 8-10)

Finally Moses called Dathan and Abiram to appear before him. Maybe they would understand. However they refused to come before him. They said to Moses: "Is it not enough that you have brought us up from a land flowing with milk and honey to cause us to die in the Wilderness, yet you seek to dominate us, even to dominate further? (Numbers 16: 13)

The Sages learn from these verses, in our Sidrah, how important it is to pursue peace and harmony. The Midrash tells us that Moshe went even to their tents in order to convince them to give up their rebellion.

The end of the story is well known: God punished Korach, Dathan, Abiram and the rest of the people who followed them. Moses, Aaron, and his sons kept leading the congregation.

Until this point we have almost made a description of the facts. Now it is time to ask ourselves the following question: Why didn’t Moses, who was the humblest man who ever existed, give up his position to the rebels? Why didn’t he even consider sharing his position with Korach and his friends?

It is written in the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 27a): "Two voices at one time are difficult to hear". Moses was the most humble person who ever existed, that’s right, but he was also a great leader. He appointed people to help him judge the People of Israel, he empowered Betzalel to build the Mishkan, he sent spies to the land of Israel, he delegated the responsibility of performing the service of the Tabernacle, and even appointed Aaron –under God’s supervision- to serve as a High Priest. However, he remained the head of the congregation. Not because he coveted power, like Korach and his friends, but because he knew that being a leader involves the responsibility to be in charge when you need to be in charge. He didn’t ask God to be in charge, he even rejected many times God’s offering, but once he was definitively appointed, he understood well what being a leader meant.

Compromising Moses’ position could, eventually, please Korach and his friends, but would not lead to the fulfillment of God’s plans.

There is a powerful fable in Deuteronomy Rabbah, a Midrash of the 7^th century:

"The serpent's tail said to his head, "How much longer will you go first? Let me go first." The head: "Go!" The tail went ahead, but when it got to a water hole, it flung the serpent's head into the water. When it got to fire, it flung the serpent's head into the fire. When it came to thorns, it flung the serpent's head into their midst. What caused the serpent such mishaps? Allowing his head to follow his tail."

One visible head needs to go ahead. And if that is important regarding the serpent of our story, it is even more important regarding an entire congregation.

Moses taught us an important lesson not only in humbleness but also in leadership. If you are a leader, you can give up everything but your position. If you are a leader, you need to be in charge.

And may the Holy One, who chose Moses His servant and strengthened him, strengthen us too and bless us with health, sustenance and peace.

"Hashem will give might to His people, Hashem will bless His people with peace"