Korach beyond Leadership.Words, Healing, vision.

Parashat Korach teaches us not just about leadership, but about something much deeper: the importance of the words we choose. And our responsibility towards each other.

On the peshat (surface) level, the story seems to be about rebellion, populism, and bad faith.

It’s a familiar tale: a prince of Israel, Korach, gathers men of renown to challenge Moshe and Aharon’s leadership.“

Rav lachem – you have taken too much,” he says, implying: “You’ve seized too much power.”

His argument seems reasonable—even compelling.

After all, if all are holy, why should Moshe and Aharon "elevate" themselves above others?

But here’s the thing: they didn’t elevate themselves.

They were given a task.

As the Sfat Emet reminds us, true leadership is not about self-importance or status.

It starts, in fact, with the opposite inner movement: self-nullification—bitul—emptying oneself of ego. Bitul is the sine qua none conditions for making ourselves a vessel for something greater to flow through.

This should be the ethos of leadership.

And yet, if we look around—both today and throughout history—we see leaders forgetting this again and again. But pointing fingers is easy.

What’s harder, and more meaningful, is to turn inward and ask:

Are we inflating ourselves, seeking what others have out of a sense of lack?

Or are we choosing radical humility—radical surrender—emptying ourselves enough so that whatever beauty, inspiration, creativity, or strength that is meant to move through us, from the Source of Life, can flow and nourish the world?

That’s the mark of a great leader.

And that, in truth, is the calling of each one of us—at our own level.

To allow our unique mission in this life to express itself through us, whatever form it takes.

In this parasha, Moshe models this beautifully.

His first reaction to Korach’s challenge is not defensive.

It is somatic.

He falls to the ground—not in pride, but in surrender. In despair. In prayer. In entreaty to the Source of Life, pleading not to see his misguided brother destroyed.

And then he responds—and he concludes with the same words Korach used:

“Rav lachem – 'You have a lot'

But this time, the meaning shifts entirely.

Moshe’s reply carries a mirror-like challenge:

You already have so much, does he seem to say. Isn't that enough for you?

The Ten Utterances at Sinai insist on the importance of resisting envy- wanting what someone else has. Pirkei Avot (4:1) further teachm

“Who is rich? The one who is content with their portion.”

אֵיזֶהוּ עָשִׁיר, הַשָּׂמֵחַ בְּחֶלְקוֹ

Oh, how much we—on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—have to learn from this, over and over again.

Moshe uses the exact same words as Korach, but with a completely different heart, intention, and message.

This reminds us: it’s not about the words we use.

It’s about how we use them.

It’s about the intention, the context, the truth behind them.

Words are easy.

Populism is built on that.Just look around.

What’s much harder is aligning our words with our true intentions—being honest with ourselves first, and then being straightforward with others.

It’s about speaking words that reflect reality, not to manipulate, but to build and to heal.

Yes, it can be the same words. But it’s up to us to choose where we take them.

And that all begins with spiritual practice: The invisible message behind the story in Parashat Korach is about the importance of cultivating consciousness, self-awareness, clarity, and mindfulness, so that we behave in the world in ways that are constructive, not destructive. Oh, do we need such awareness, so we can have the healing we need in our communities, and in our global togetherness.

Today is the second day of Rosh Chodesh Tammuz, the month of vision in Jewish tradition.

So here is my vision. May there be Peace in the middle East. Direct flights and cooperation between Tel Aviv and Teheran, Tel Aviv and Damascus, Tel Aviv and Beirut. And more. Why not. After all, Berlin and Paris might not have been able to imagine in the twenties that they would have today the relationship they have.

Now is the time to begin shaping a vision for a healthier world. And this starts with our words. This starts with learning from the counter-example of Korach.

And choosing words that are life-affirming and community enhancing.

Words that heal.

Words that align with our deepest values.

Words that reflect who we truly want to be.

So here is my blessing for us this month.

May your words be healing, and may your intentions be aligned with them.

Chodesh Tov. Shabbat Shalom.