“Moses said to Koraḥ: Hear now, sons of Levi” (Numbers 16:8). “Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has distinguished you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Him, to perform the service of the Tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them?” (Numbers 16:9). “Moses said to Koraḥ” – does one who goes to speak to Yosef, say to Shimon: ‘Listen’?13If he is speaking with Koraḥ, why does he say to the sons of Levi: Listen?
Some say: He was asking him to reconsider, and saying gentle words before him. When he saw that he did not heed, he [Moses] said: ‘Before others begin participating with him,’ he began to speak to them: “Hear now, sons of Levi” – is the honor that you have insignificant? “Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has distinguished you…?” “He brought you near, and all your brethren the sons of Levi with you, and you will seek the priesthood as well?” (Numbers 16:10).
“Therefore, you and your entire congregation have congregated against the Lord. And Aaron, what is he that you complain against him?” (Numbers 16:11). He returned to [speak to] Koraḥ: “He brought you near, and all your brethren the sons of Levi” – because he was a prominent leader of the tribe, his brethren became ancillary to him. “Therefore, you and your entire congregation have congregated against the Lord” – this dispute is not against us, but rather, against the Holy One blessed be He.
This is analogous to a king who had many slaves and wished to render one of them a free man and invest him with a branch.14A symbol of authority. He then appointed him a senior adviser. His counterparts stood against him. People said: ‘Had he, himself, come and taken that prominence for himself, they acted appropriately in standing against him.
Now that it is his master who acted on his behalf, anyone who stands against him, is he not standing against his master?’ So, too, Moses said to them: ‘Had my brother Aaron taken the priesthood for himself, you would have acted appropriately when you objected to him. Given that it is the Holy One blessed be He who granted it to him, He, who prominence, might, and kingdom, are His, anyone who stands against Aaron, is he not standing against the Holy One blessed be He?’
That is why it is written: “And Aaron, what is he that you complain against him?” Come and see the piety of Aaron the righteous. When Moses poured the anointing oil on his head, Aaron was shaken and terrified. He said to Moses: ‘My brother, perhaps I was not worthy to be anointed with the sacred oil, and I misused it and incurred liability for karet, as the Holy One blessed be He said: “On a person’s flesh it shall not be smeared”?’ (Exodus 30:32).
That is why the verse attested in his regard: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity. Like fine oil on the head, descending onto the beard, the beard of Aaron…like the dew of Ḥermon” (Psalms133:1–3). The verse juxtaposed the anointing oil to the dew of Hermon. Just as there is no misuse of the dew of Ḥermon, so, there is no misuse of the oil descending onto Aaron.
That is why, “have congregated against the Lord.” With all these matters, Moses placated Koraḥ, but you do not find that he responded anything to him. It is because he was clever in his wickedness. He said: ‘If I respond to him, I know that he is exceedingly wise and he will overcome me with his words, and I will perforce submit to him. It is preferable that I do not relate to him.’ When Moses saw that it is to no avail, he took his leave of him.