Korach assails the leadership of Moses and Aharon with the accusation: “rav lachem – too much for you!” Too much what? Too much power? Too much honor? In one understanding, which is inferred but not explicit, Moses is accused of taking “too much” wealth for himself, libeled with allegations of financial violation.
How do we know Korach implicated Moses with the crime of financial indiscretion? Because Moses cries out in response to the personal insult leveled at him:
Moses was deeply upset. He said to the Lord, Pay no regard to their appeals. I have not taken anyone’s donkey, nor have I harmed any of them. (16:15)
Click here to read more from Rabbi Alex Israel in this week’s Parsha Discussion on Korach: Not a Single Donkey.
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Alex teaches Bible at Pardes and is the Director of the Community Education Program and the Summer Program. Alex was born and raised in London. He holds degrees from London School of Economics, the Institute of Education London and Bar-Ilan University. Alex studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion under Rav Aharon Lichtenstein and Rav Yehudah Amital, and gained Rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Rabbinate. Click here to read more. You can find books written by Alex by clicking here
