“The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, and their households, and all the people who were with Koraḥ, and all the property” (Numbers 16:32). “Opened” – Rabbi Yehuda said: At that moment, several mouths were opened in the earth, as it is stated: “[That the earth opened its mouth…] in the midst of all Israel” (Deuteronomy 11:6). Rabbi Neḥemya said: But is it not written: “The earth opened its mouth”?
He said to him: How, then, do you realize: “In the midst of all Israel”? It is, rather, that the earth became like a funnel. Wherever one of them was standing, he would roll and come to it. The result is that you realize: “In the midst of all Israel” and you realize: “The earth opened its mouth.”
“And all the yekum [that was at their feet]” (Deuteronomy 11:6) – this is the property that stands a person on his feet.21Yekum is expounded as though it was yakim – it causes one to stand. Our Rabbis said: Even if the garments were in the possession of the launderer, they would roll, come, and be swallowed with them. Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said: Even a needle of theirs that was borrowed [she’ula] in the hands of an Israelite, was also swallowed, as it is stated: “They and everything that was theirs descended alive into the abyss [sheola]” (Numbers 16:33).
Why to that extent? It is because he entered into a dispute with the Holy One blessed be He. Nevertheless, in the future, they are destined to ascend. Rabbi Yehuda ben Beteira teaches that they have a portion in the World to Come, as it is stated: “They were lost from the midst of the assembly” (Numbers 16:33).22But not from the World to Come.
Regarding David it says: “I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek Your servant, as I have not forgotten Your mitzvot” (Psalms 119:176). Just as what was lost stated in David’s regard is destined to be sought; here, too, what was lost is destined to be sought. And so, Hannah prayed on their behalf: “The Lord puts to death and brings to life; He lowers to the abyss and elevates” (I Samuel 2:6).