Getting Involved

June 20-21, 2014 / 23 Sivan 5774

Shabbat Korach

Torah: Numbers 16:1 - 18:32 / Haftarah: I Samuel 11:14 - 12:22

“Getting Involved”

Dear Friends,

I just don’t relate to Korach. He was an Israelite leader of a group who challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron as they guided the Children of Israel through the desert wanderings.  Korach and his group protested, rebelled and taunted.  They questioned why Moses and Aaron were so exalted and mighty.  After all, weren’t all the people holy?  Why not have Korach as the new leader of the people, instead?

How can one argue against that?  It’s a matter of opinion, right?  Wrong.  It’s a matter of merit, ability and results.  So, Moses set up a competition, at which both sides of the dispute made offerings to God.  Of course, Moses’ offerings were preferred by God and he remained as leader.  Korach and his followers were swallowed up in a great earthquake and were never heard from again.

So, what’s the Torah’s problem with Korach?  We Jews are a people of political activism.  We read, think and discuss the issues of our day.  Aren’t we encouraged to speak up and complain when we don’t like our leaders?  Aren’t we compelled to ‘throw the bums out’ and elect ‘new leadership’ so that we can have change?  ‘New is better,’ we are told every time we go shopping.  Wasn’t Korach acting as someone who just wanted to make things ‘new’ and ‘better’ by deposing Moses and Aaron and having himself named as the new leader?  Wasn’t that his right and obligation as a good citizen?

Through my involvement with AIPAC (America Israel Public Affairs Committee), I have learned that there is another approach to political activism.  I learned that working to strengthen the U.S. - Israel relationship does not need to involve protest, picket lines, street theater, and public criticism.  It does not need to involve clever cheers and jeers against public officials.  Rather, I have learned that change can be affected not by opposing leaders, but by supporting them.  In most cases, influence can best be developed by forming trusting relationships with our government leaders and by opening opportunities to educate them on key issues.  By joining in dialogue with our leaders in their Capital Hill offices, the opportunity for creating mutual understanding and productive policy is greatly enhanced.

That’s the Jewish way. Rather than bringing down leaders through protest as Korach would, we are taught to join with them and become a part of the system in order to effect change and improvement.  Through our involvement, we rise in status, merit and skill and, in turn, become leaders ourselves.  Yes, there are times when some leaders are so disruptive and troublesome that they must be opposed and replaced for the good of all.  Those cases are very rare.  Most often, working with and supporting our leaders will yield the best results.

So, as the political season heats up, I urge you to become involved.  Write your government leaders and share your opinions.  Support your candidates and get involved in the process from the inside.  When you hear something odd or receive an outrageous email about a candidate, check it out first before passing it on.  Read the sources, not the spin.

Be not like Korach, who opposed the system for personal gain.  Rather be like Moses and Aaron by joining with leaders and participating in the process for the gain of all.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow