12 Questions
Who was Korach and what did he envy?
Korach was a wealthy and highly educated cousin of Moshe. He envied the fact that Aharon had been chosen as High Priest and that his cousin Elitzafan had been chosen as head of the Levite family of Kehot.
What action did Korach take against Moshe and who did he take with him?
Korach took himself along with Datan, Aviram, and On, descendants of Reuven, to confront Moshe.
Who were Korach's father, grandfather and great-grandfather?
Korach was the son of Izhar, the son of Kehat, the son of Levi.
How many leaders from the tribe of Reuben joined the rebellion?
250
Why did Korach feel aggrieved towards Moshe?
He felt Moshe had favored his brother Aharon by appointing him as the High Priest without divine instruction.
What did Datan and Aviram feel about their leadership roles?
They felt they should have held more leadership roles due to their status as firstborn sons.
What was the rebels' argument against Moshe and Aharon?
They argued that all Jews were holy and that Moshe and Aharon had assumed too much power.
What was the outcome of Korach's rebellion?
Korach and the rebels were swallowed by the earth along with their property.
According to Rashi, why did people from the tribe of Reuven join Korach's rebellion?
Rashi explains that they joined due to their proximity and connection to Korach and his family.
What is the Talmud quote 'Woe to a wicked person, woe to his neighbour' implying?
The quote implies that the influence of a wicked person extends to their neighbors, leading to negative consequences.
How does Mishlei 13:20 relate to the influence of those around us?
Mishlei 13:20 highlights the influence of wise companions leading to wisdom, and the company of fools leading to grief.
What qualities are important to resist peer pressure?
Self-confidence, self-awareness, assertiveness, communication skills, and support from positive influences are important qualities to resist peer pressure.
Study Notes
- Moshe spoke, ground split open, Korach and rebels swallowed by earth with their property
- Korach's sons repented at last moment and survived
- Israelites saw proof of God's choice of Moshe and Aharon as leaders
- Newspaper article about Korach's rebellion and trial
A. Newspaper article:
- Headline: "Was Korach's Rebellion Justified? A Trial to Decide"
- Israelite man Korach rebelled against Moshe
- Rebellion crushed, now on trial for punishment or pardon
- Question: Why did Korach rebel?
- Question: Is rebellion against a leader ever justified?
- Question: Was Moshe an effective or ineffective leader?
- Question: Should Korach be punished or pardoned?
- Question: What was Korach's crime?
- Question: Was Korach justified in his actions?
- Group discussion: prepare opening and closing statements, call witnesses
B. Trial procedure:
- Groups sit together to prepare for trial
- Teacher facilitates trial and serves as judge
- Defence makes opening statement
- Prosecution makes opening statement
- Rebuttals
- Defence calls witnesses
- Prosecution cross examines defence witnesses
- Defence cross examines prosecution witnesses
- Steps 6-8 repeat
- Closing statement of prosecution
- Closing statement of defence
- Judge announces verdict
C. Korach's rebellion involved neighbours from the tribe of Reuven
- Rashi explains why they joined: they were settled in the south and neighbours of Korach and his family
- Talmud quote: Woe to a wicked person, woe to his neighbour
- Discussion: influence of those around us
- Mishlei 13:20: He who keeps company with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools shall come to grief
- Analogy: entering a perfumer's shop or a tannery
- Pirkei dRabbi Eliezer: explanation of analogy
- Examples from life
- Agree or disagree with the statement
D. Dealing with negative influences:
- Definition of peer pressure
- Image: potential negative influences
- Peer pressure can sometimes be positive: following group in positive actions
- People give in to peer pressure for various reasons
- Qualities to resist peer pressure: self-confidence, self-awareness, assertiveness, communication skills, and support from positive influences.
Read about the divine punishment of Korach and his followers in this newspaper article. Discover why the punishments were considered fitting and learn about the evidence of Hashem's choice of Moshe and Aharon as leaders of the Bnei Yisrael.
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