June 24, 2023; 5 Tamuz, 5783
Parsha
In this week’s Parsha, Korach led a rebellion against the leadership of Moshe Rabbeinu. The Gemorah in Sanhedrin 109b indicates that Ohn Ben Peles (“Ohn”), who was initially mentioned among those that Korach gathered for his rebellion, was a man of high intellect and of great moral fiber. The Daas Zekainim miBaalei HaTosfos (“Daas Zekanim”) makes the same point in his explanation of the first Possuk (verse) of this week’s Parsha. The Possuk says that Ohn came from the tribe of Reuvain. In a play on words of the name “Reuvain”, the Daas Zekanim says that he was a “Ra’ah V’Haveen” – he saw and understood – i.e. he was a man of great intellect.
That being the case, how could such a highly intelligent individual make such a monumental mistake by joining Korach and his rebellion?...