Congregation Shirat Hayam

06/18/2026

Parashat Korach
Numbers 16:1-18:32

This week's parasha contains what I think might be the most intentionally miss understood passage in the entire Five (or 7) Books of Moses.

In Numbers 16, we read about Korach's challenge to Moses and Aaron's leadership. The way it is generally interpreted is that Korach tried to usurp the authority of God and of those whom God has chosen to be leaders. It's a quick read, so I suggest you do it for yourself. I'm going to explain why I think it is intentionally miss interpreted.

Anyone who reads Numbers 16 is struck by how Korach's challenge to Moses and Aaron seems decidedly reasonable. In effect, they are rebelling against what is plainly a very undemocratic process of choosing leaders. Indeed, in my opinion, that's exactly what they are doing. However, instead of rewarding their commitment to the democratic process and objection to authoritarianism, the Torah describes them as being wicked and deserving punishment.

Why does God react so negatively to Korach's complaint? Because, in my learned opinion, it was the priests who wrote this part of the Bible. They did not want to relinquish any of their authority to Korach or anyone else. What better way to do that than to tell the story so that it was God who was offended by Korah's challenge.

I imagine some of you are rolling your eyes at my suggestion. But consider this, scholars have long since studied the Bible influenced by the documentary hypothesis. The documentary hypothesis argues that the Five Books of Moses, is actually a compilation of four originally independent documents. Four documents, multiple contributors. One of those books, it is argued, was authored by the priests. There are lots of clues throughout the text that supports this theory. You can learn more about documentary hypothesis by clicking here, or find a copy of Who Wrote the Bible, by Richard Friedman and learn even more.

Democracy was and still is a threat to authoritarians and want-to-be authoritarians. Throughout the Torah, these two political philosophies struggle. This conflict is at the heart of this week's parashah.

Postscript: Bart Ehrman, a biblical scholar at UNC, argues that it was not uncommon for political messages to be added to passages included in the Christian Bible, giving them an apparent stamp of divine authority*. This is, perhaps, why despite the priests effort to write off Korach, later biblical contributors reclaimed him. Psalms 42-49 begin by evoking Korach's descendents. And we think misinformation is something new.

Here are two books about the amazing scholarship of Bart Ehrman on "misinformation' in the Christian Bible.

Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why
Forgery and Counter Forgery

06/18/2026

I recently discovered a great way to support small Israeli businesses that isn't charity. It's a micro-loaning program called SparkIL There are all kinds of small businesses listed from which you can choose to support. You can make loans as little as 36.00 and for as much as you want. If this way of supporting small Israeli businesses appeals to you, check out their site for all the details how it works.

The Rambam says it best: The highest level - and there's nothing higher than give a person a loan a gift or a loan, or entering into a partnership with him, or finding work for him to do, in order to strengthen his hand, so that he doesn't need to others for assistance.

Here's their web address:

Igniting the Sparks of Israeli Entrepreneurship SparkIL is dedicated to fostering economic growth in Israel by enabling interest-free loans to small businesses.

06/18/2026

The Hebrew writer Achad ha-Am once said that more than the Jewish people kept the Sabbath, the Sabbath kept the Jewish people.

There are many ways of honoring Shabbat, or as Achad ha-Am put it, keeping Shabbat. In these crazy times when we are constantly being bombarded by impossible to believe bad news, not just for us Jews, but for the world, one simple way to give yourself a weekly break is to do Shabbat.

This doesn't mean attend worship services. It can be whatever gives you a chance to renew your soul. Admittedly, from a rabbinic perspective, the more Jewish stuff you can incorporate while doing this, the better. JewBelong has produced a clever little online resource to help you do Shabbat. I hope some of you will take advantage of it.

06/18/2026

Something to Think About

Jews are not opposed to the market economy or technological advances; we welcome them. But in the Sabbath there is a necessary counter-affirmation, best expressed by one of our ancient sages who said, ‘Who is rich? One who rejoices in what he has.’ The remorseless pressure of consumerism to define ourselves in terms of what we lack, not what we have, takes a heavy toll in a culture which has no counter-voice.” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, z.l.

06/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18yEtAEpfp/

One year ago today an Iranian missile attack on Israel killed five Israelis. They were Israeli Arabs, who the BBC reported as being five 'Palestinians.' This is how one Israeli responded to them being forced out of their true national identity by the BBC:

06/10/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1UpGyxZ1uX/

06/02/2026

Something to Think About

Prosperity is a test of responsibility, not a justification for disengagement.

Rabbi Meldola de Sola

06/02/2026

"Spiritually Israeli":

Viral Insult Our Teens are Facing

Have you heard the latest teen thing? Across a number of social media platforms, posters use “spiritually Israeli” to describe something they find suspicious or soulless, or to assert their dislike of a trend, person or idea. It doesn’t matter if the thing being described has any connection to Israel or Jews. “Israeli” has become its own kind of pejorative.

If you have kids, grandchildren, nieces or nephews dealing with this kind of hate and you need support, get in touch with me. We will brainstorm together how to best help your child. Rabbi Howard Cohen