Why the Priesthood's Challengers Are Struck With Leprosy

Midrash Aggadah, Numbers 17:5

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And he shall not be like Korah and like his company" (Numbers 17:5) — for the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, so that there not befall him what the LORD spoke by the hand of Moses. And what did He speak by his hand? "Put now [your hand] into your bosom" (Exodus 4:6) — this teaches that he was stricken with leprosy, because Moses had said, "But they will not believe me" (Exodus 4:1); therefore he was stricken with leprosy. So too, anyone who comes and challenges the priesthood and does not believe that I gave it to Aaron and to his seed shall be stricken with leprosy. And so you find with Uzziah king of Judah: because he took the censer of incense and entered to offer incense, immediately "the leprosy broke out on his forehead" (II Chronicles 26:19).

Themes

PriesthoodHumorWitConversionMoses

Biblical References

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