Why Moses Called Out to the Sons of Levi When Rebuking Korah

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Korach 13:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"So Moses said to Korah: Please listen, you sons of Levi" (Numbers 16:8). Is there a person who speaks with Joseph and says to Simeon, "Listen"? Some say that he was seeking that Korah turn back, and he spoke soft words before him. When he saw that Korah did not listen to him, he said: Before others join themselves together with him, let them turn back. He began to spur them on: "Please listen, you sons of Levi" (Numbers 16:8). Is the honor that is in your hands a small thing? "Is it too little for you, etc." (Numbers 16:9). He turned back to Korah: "And that He has brought you near, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you" (Numbers 16:10) — for he was the great one in the tribe, so that his brothers became subordinate to him.

Themes

RebellionTribesMosesLeviKings

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Targum JonathanKorach's Sons Survived by Following MosesAfter the plague killed twenty-four thousand, God ordered a new census. The Targum's version of (Numbers 26) opens with a phrase absent from the Torah: "the comMidrash AggadahKorah's Wife, the Shaved Levites, and the All-Blue CloaksWhen the razor passed over every Levite, Korah too bared his head, his beard, his whole body, and went home shorn. His wife mocked him. "Who told you to do thisMidrash TanchumaIn That He Sided Against Moses. 1 Numb(Numb. 16:1:) “Now Korah betook himself.” This text is related (to Prov. 18:19), “A brother offended (rt. psh') is more formidable than a fortified city; [such]Midrash TanchumaWhen Should My Name Israel Be Joined Upon Them(Numb. 16:1:) “[Korah who is] the son of Izhar [who is] the son of Kohath [who is] the son of Levi betook himself.” But there is not written "the son of Jacob" Midrash Tanchuma Buber, EmorWhy the Bull Heads the Sacrifices and the Golden Calf SlanderWhy does the bull stand first among all the offerings brought upon the altar? Rabbi Levi answered with a parable of slander and a king's reply. Picture a matronMidrash Tanchuma Buber, KorachWhy Moses Fell on His Face When Korah RebelledWhen Korah gathered the people against Moses and Aaron, he turned their own holiness into a weapon. "All the congregation are holy," he declared, "and the LORD