Parashat Korach: Fascinating Midrashim and Hidden Insights About Korach, His Wealth, and Aaron’s Staff

How wealthy was Korach?

The Talmud states that he owned 300 mules whose sole purpose was to carry the keys to his treasure houses (Pesachim 119a).

How Did Korach Become So Rich?

According to a Midrash, when Pharaoh ordered the Israelites to make bricks for a day so he could determine their production capacity and later impose quotas upon them, Korach acted differently.

While the rest of the people worked normally, Korach spent the entire day working on a single brick, claiming that he was beautifying it in honor of the king. As a result, he was not subjected to the same labor demands as the others.

Instead, Korach and his household quietly produced and stored large quantities of bricks over time. Later, when Pharaoh decreed: “You shall no longer provide straw for the people to make bricks” (Exodus 5:7), while still demanding the same production quota, many Israelites found themselves unable to meet the requirements. Failure often resulted in brutal punishment, including the use of children in place of missing bricks.

At that point, people came to Korach to buy bricks. Knowing their desperation, he charged enormous sums. Families were forced to give up their wealth to save their children, and in this way Korach amassed a fortune from the suffering of others (cited in Einei HaEdah in the name of a Midrash).

Why Does the Verse Say “Will Sin” Instead of “Has Sinned”?

The Torah records Moses and Aaron's prayer: “O God, God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will You be angry with the entire congregation?” (Numbers 16:22)

The verse uses the future tense “will sin” rather than the past tense “has sinned.”

The Ketav Sofer explains that Moses was not primarily concerned with Korach's past actions, as those could potentially be forgiven.

The greater concern was that Korach would continue sinning in the future and continue leading others astray. Therefore, the Torah uses the future tense.

What Did God Not Create During the Six Days of Creation?

Regarding the verse: “If the Lord creates a new creation...” (Numbers 16:30)

The Jerusalem Talmud teaches an intriguing idea: God created the world with things that are either long or round, but not square (Jerusalem Talmud, Nedarim 3:2).

This teaching is cited in connection with Moses' declaration that God would create a unique phenomenon to punish Korach.

Why Does the Torah Say “The Earth Opened Its Mouth Wide”?

The verse states: “The earth opened its mouth wide and swallowed them...” (Numbers 16:30)

Why does the Torah use the unusual term “patzetah” rather than the more common word for opening?

The Tosafot Yom Tov explains that the wording hints that the earth did more than merely open. It also "spoke," announcing that Korach and his followers were descending into the abyss.

Was Korach Burned or Swallowed?

The Torah describes two different punishments:

• Some members of Korach's assembly were swallowed by the earth.

• The 250 men who offered incense were consumed by fire.

What happened to Korach himself?

According to the work Avoteinu, Korach experienced both punishments. He was swallowed and burned so that no group could later claim that Korach had somehow escaped punishment.

The Fire That Continues to Travel Through History

The Torah states: “A fire came forth from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who offered the incense.” (Numbers 16:35)

According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer (Chapter 53), this heavenly fire continues to exist and passes before every person at the moment of death.

Why Were Korach’s Sons Saved?

Later, the Torah states: “But the sons of Korach did not die.” (Numbers 26:11)

What saved them?

The Midrash relates that when Moses approached Korach, his sons lowered their faces to the ground out of respect.

They struggled with a difficult dilemma:

• On one hand, Moses was their teacher and a Torah sage deserving honor.

• On the other hand, showing honor to Moses could be seen as embarrassing their father.

Ultimately, they chose to stand in honor of Moses despite the personal cost. At that moment, the process of repentance began in their hearts (Yalkut Shimoni, Korach 752).

The Remarkable History of Aaron’s Staff

The Torah says: “And Aaron’s staff was among their staffs.” (Numbers 17:21)

According to Bamidbar Rabbah (18:23), Aaron's staff had an extraordinary history.

It was originally the staff of Judah. It later passed from generation to generation through Israel's kings until the destruction of the Temple, when it was hidden away.

In the future, that same staff is destined to be held by Mashiach.

Why Did Moses Place Aaron’s Staff Among the Other Staffs?

The Torah emphasizes: “Aaron’s staff was among their staffs.”

Why was this detail important?

Rabbi Jonathan Eybeschutz explains that had Aaron's staff been placed separately, skeptics could have claimed that Moses positioned it over a particularly fertile underground root that caused it to blossom.

King Solomon, according to Midrashic tradition, understood which roots connected to various regions and planted accordingly.

To eliminate any suspicion, Moses placed Aaron's staff directly among the others. If a special root were responsible, another staff would have benefited first.

This demonstrated conclusively that the blossoming was a miracle and not a natural phenomenon.

Why Were the Priests and Levites Given Special Gifts?

The Torah grants various gifts and portions to the priests and Levites: “This shall be yours from the gifts of the children of Israel...” (Numbers 18:11)

Why did God command the people to support them?

The Ralbag explains that the purpose was to free the priests and Levites from the constant burden of earning a livelihood.

By receiving support from the nation, they could dedicate themselves to Torah study, teaching, and understanding the deeper truths of existence. Their material needs were provided for so that they could focus on the spiritual needs of the people.