Why On ben Pelet Was Saved from Korah's Rebellion

"And Korah took, etc." What did he take? He took a bad purchase for himself. Another interpretation: "And he took" is a term of strife, as it is said, "Why does your heart carry you away, etc." (Job 15:12). "Son of Izhar" — they were all called by a name of evil. "Korah" (Korach) teaches that a baldness (korchah) was made in Israel. "Izhar" (Yitzhar) — that he made the world seethe like noon (tzohorayim). "Son of Kohath" — that the teeth of his children were set on edge (kahu). "Son of Levi" — that he became an escort (levayah) to Gehinnom. And why was he not reckoned "son of Jacob"? Because Jacob prayed concerning this matter, that his name should not be mentioned in the dispute, as it is said, "Let my soul not come into their council, etc." (Genesis 49:6); and as it is said, "And Korah assembled against them, etc." (verse 19). And in what place is his name written? At the time when they were reckoned by genealogy upon the platform, there it is written "son of Jacob." "And Dathan and Abiram" — as you say, "And the copy of the writing of the decree (dat)" (Esther 4:8). "And Abiram" — that he did not wish (abah) to come into the heights of the world. Another interpretation: "Abiram," that his heart was mighty (abir) and he did not heed the words of Moses. "Sons of Eliab" — that they did not wish (abu) to listen to Moses, and they disputed against him. "And On son of Peleth" — he was a mourner (onen), were it not that wonders (pela'ot) were performed and he was saved by means of his wife; and concerning her it is said, "The wisdom of women builds her house" (Proverbs 14:1), and concerning the wife of Korah it is said, "but folly tears it down with her hands" (ibid.). "The wisdom of women" — this is the wife of On, who said to On her husband, "What is it to you to enter into this dispute? If Moses is leader, you are a commoner; and if Korah is leader, you are a commoner." He said to her, "What shall I do, for I am mixed in with them in this dispute?" She said to him, "Go lie down upon your bed." He went and did as she commanded him, and she sat at the entrance of her house with the hair of her head loose. And when they came to call On and saw her with her hair loose, they would turn back. And thus she sat at the entrance of her house until her husband was saved and the earth swallowed them. And when he arose from his sleep, they were all swallowed and burned, and he was saved from the swallowing and from the burning.