Machshava:

Chinuch 

Parsha:

Korach 

Collections: R' Goldin Parenting from the Parsha

Description

“Oy l’rasha, v’oy l’shcheino”- “woe is to a wicked person, and woe is to his neighbor” This famous comment is quoted by Rashi towards the beginning of this week’s parsha as the Torah introduces Korach’s rebellion. According to the Midrash, because Datan, Aviram, and On were located near the camp of Korach, they became negatively influenced by him and ultimately joined his rebellion. This Midrash thus deduces a critical lesson concerning the potential negative effect that a neighbor can have upon an individual. Yet, a basic question arises on this Midrash. After all, Bnei Yisrael weren’t the ones who decided the setup of the nation’s encampment. The determination of each tribe’s location was made by G-d Himself! Isn’t G-d himself to blame, therefore, for the connection that developed between Korach and his followers? He was, after all, the one who set the camp up in that way?