The Worst Argument in the Torah: D’var Torah for Parshat Korach
Where in the Torah do we find an example of the worst possible argument?
In Pirkei Avot, the Ethics of the Fathers, we’re given the example of an argument in which Korach contended with the leaders of our people, Moshe and Aharon. But instead of debating the issue at hand, he strove to demonise his opponents.
The Mishnah uses this as a prime example of a מַחֲלֹקֶת שֶׁלֹּא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, an argument which is not for the sake of heaven. The text says:
“קֹרַח וְכָל עֲדָתוֹ”
“Korach and his followers”
But surely it should have been “Korach and Moshe and Aharon”? The specific phrasing of “and his followers” is very important. Korach brought together a group with one thing in common: they disliked Moshe and Aharon. But within their own ranks, the group were adversaries.
This often happens in life, when people come together because they have a common enemy, but are not like-minded themselves. That is what happened with Korach and his followers. It was an argument for the worst possible reason.
The Mishnah gives an example of an alternative kind of argument: a מַחֲלֹקֶת לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, an argument for the sake of heaven. The example of Hillel and Shammai.
Our sages teach us that Hillel and Shammai were fierce opponents with regard to halacha, but they always treated each other with respect. In fact, they always quoted the view of the other together with their own. Socially, they got on well, even marrying into each other’s families. What mattered to them was only the issue at hand, as opposed to an attack on the people who opposed them.
Right now, within our challenged societies, we often see arguments which are not for the sake of heaven. Debate is absolutely acceptable, as long as it is for the sake of heaven. And that is why in our parsha, the Torah gives one of the 613 commandments:
“וְלֹא תִהְיֶה כְּקֹרַח וְכַעֲדָתוֹ”
“We should never be like Korach and his followers.”
Shabbat Shalom.
