“Took [vayikaḥ]” – vayikaḥ is nothing other than persuading with gentle words, that persuaded all the prominent leaders of Israel, and the Sanhedrin after him [Koraḥ]. In Moses’s regard, it is written: “Moses and Aaron took [vayikaḥ] these men” (Numbers 1:17); and likewise, “take [kaḥ] Aaron, and his sons with him” (Leviticus 8:2); likewise it says: “Take [keḥu] words with you” (Hosea 14:3); and likewise, “the woman was taken [vatukaḥ] to Pharaoh’s palace” (Genesis 12:15).
That is, vayikaḥ Koraḥ – he persuaded them with gentle words. “Koraḥ…took” – what led him to enter into a dispute? It was by means of Elitzafan, son of his father’s brother, who became the prince over his family, “the prince of the patrilineal house of the families of the Kehatites was Elitzafan son of Uziel” (Numbers 3:30). Koraḥ said: ‘My father and his brothers were four brothers – “the sons of Kehat: Amram and Yitzhar and Hevron and Uziel” (Exodus 6:18).
Amram, the firstborn, his son Aaron merited the High Priesthood, and Moses, kingdom. Who is worthy of taking the second position? Is it not the second, as it is stated: “The sons of Kehat: Amram and Yitzhar”? I am the son of Yitzhar, I was worthy of becoming prince of my family, but he arranged that the son of Uziel, the youngest of my father’s brothers, will be greater than I.3Uziel was the prince of the Kehat family. I will enter into a dispute with him and void everything that he has accomplished.’ That is why, “Koraḥ took.”