“And On son of Pelet” (Numbers 16:1) – why was his name On? It is because all his days were spent in acute mourning.35He regretted his association with Koraḥ and the rest. “Son of Pelet” – a son for whom wonders [pelaot] were performed. Rav said: On ben Pelet, his wife saved him.

She said to him: ‘What is in it for you in this dispute? If Aaron is the High Priest, you are a disciple, if Koraḥ is the High Priest, you are a disciple.’ She said to him: ‘I know that the entire assembly is holy, as it is stated in their regard: “The entire congregation, all of them are holy”’ (Numbers 16:3). What did she do?

She gave him wine and got him intoxicated and lay him in bed. She sat at the door, she and her daughter, and she unbound her hair. Anyone who came for her husband On would withdraw. Meanwhile, they were swallowed.

This is what is written: “The wise among women builds her house” (Proverbs 14:1) – this is On’s wife. “And the foolish will destroy it with her hands” (Proverbs 14:1) – this is Koraḥ’s wife. “They arose before Moses…princes of [nesi’ei] the congregation” (Numbers 16:2) – the outstanding of the congregation.36Nesi’ei is expounded to mean those raised [nisa’im] above the congregarion. “Distinguished of the convocation [mo’ed]” – who know how to intercalate the years and to determine months.37Mo’ed is expounded in the sense of appointed times.

“People of renown” – that have great renown in all areas. “Moses heard” (Numbers 16:4) – what did he hear? Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥmani said that Rabbi Yonatan said: It teaches that they suspected him regarding a married woman, as it is stated: “They were jealous [vaykanu] of Moses in the camp” (Psalms 106:16) – Rabbi Shmuel bar Yitzḥak said that Rav said: It teaches that everyone warned [kinei] his wife concerning Moses.38This is the first step of the sota process, where a husband warns his wife not to enter into isolation with a certain man. “[Moses arose and] went to Datan and Aviram” (Numbers 16:25) – Reish Lakish said: From here is learned that one does not perpetuate a dispute.

Rav said: Anyone who perpetuates a dispute is in violation due to: “And he shall not be like Koraḥ and like his congregation” (Numbers 17:5). Rav Asi said: He39Anyone who perpetuates a dispute. is fit to be afflicted with leprosy. Here it is written: “As the Lord spoke to him at the hand of Moses” (Numbers 17:5), and there it is written: “The Lord said to him further: Bring your hand…[and behold, his hand was leprous]” (Exodus 4:6).

Rabbi Ḥisda said: Anyone who enters into a dispute with his teacher, it is as though he enters into a dispute with the Divine Presence, as it is stated: “Who agitated against the Lord” (Numbers 26:9).40The verse is referring to Datan and Aviram. Rabbi Yosei bar Rabbi Ḥanina said: Anyone who quarrels with his teacher, it is as though he does so with the Divine Presence, as it is stated: “These are the waters of strife, where the children of Israel quarreled with the Lord” (Numbers 20:13).

Rabbi Ḥanina said: Anyone who states a grievance against his teacher, it is as though he states a grievance against the Divine Presence, as it is stated: “Your complaints are not against us, but against the Lord” (Exodus 16:8). Rabbi Abbahu said: Anyone who thinks ill of his teacher, it is as though he thinks ill of the Divine Presence, as it is stated: “The people spoke against God and against Moses: Why did you take us up from Egypt….” (Numbers 21:5).

Rava expounded: What is it that is written: “The sun, the moon, stand in their abode [zevula]”? (Habakkuk 3:11).It teaches that the sun and the moon ascended to zevul.41The fourth of the seven heavens. They said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, if you perform justice for the son of Amram, we will emerge; if not, we will not emerge,’ until He shot arrows at them. He said to them: ‘For My honor, you did not protest,42When people worshiped the sun or the moon you did not protest. but for the honor of flesh and blood, you protested?’

Today, until He strikes them, they do not emerge.43The sun and moon do not rise since they are protesting because of God's honor. Rava expounded: What is it that is written: “But if the Lord creates a creation”? (Numbers 16:30). Moses said: ‘Master of the universe, if there is a creation of Gehenna, fine; but if not, let the Lord create it.’ What did he mean?

You say to actually create it, but is it not written: “There is nothing new under the sun”? (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Rather, it is to bring the opening [of Gehenna] near. “But Koraḥ’s sons did not die” (Numbers 26:11). It is taught in the name of our Rabbi: A place was fortified for them in Gehenna.

Rabba bar bar Ḥana said: One time I was walking along the way, and a certain Arab said to me: ‘Come and I will show you the place of those of Koraḥ who were swallowed.’ I went and I saw two fissures from which smoke was emerging. He took a woollen fleece, soaked it in water, placed it on the tip of his spear and inserted it there. It was singed and fell.

He said to me: ‘Listen; what do you hear?’ And I heard that this is what they were saying: ‘Moses and his Torah are truth, and they44They are referring to themselves, having entered into a dispute with Moses. are liars.’ He said to me: ‘Every thirty days, Gehenna returns them here like meat in a cauldron, and they say this: Moses and his Torah are truth.’ But in the future, the Holy One blessed be He is destined to take them out.

In their regard, Hannah said: “The Lord puts to death and brings to life; He lowers to the abyss and elevates” (I Samuel 2:6).