Why Moses Assembled All Israel for Aaron's Priesthood

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Tzav 15:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

(Leviticus 8:3:) AND ASSEMBLE THE WHOLE CONGREGATION. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: Pay him honor in the presence of all Israel, so that they may see him entering into the High Priesthood, and warn them not to dispute over the priesthood like Korah and his company. For I know that Uzziah is destined to arise and dispute over the priesthood, as it is said (Numbers 17:5): "A reminder to the children of Israel, so that no stranger who is not of the seed of Aaron should draw near…" He was not of the seed of Levi, just as Korah was. It said to him: The reminder that you make for Korah, you make for him. It said to him (Numbers 17:5): "Let him not be like Korah and his company." He said to it: And how will you act toward him? It said to him (ibid.): "As the LORD spoke through Moses to him." He said to him: Just as I did to your hand (Exodus 4:6), "And he brought it out from his bosom, and behold, his hand was leprous as snow" — so will I do to him. Therefore (Leviticus 8:3): AND ASSEMBLE THE WHOLE CONGREGATION.

Themes

PriesthoodRebellion

Biblical References

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Exempla of the Rabbis (Gaster, 1924)Exempla of the Rabbis, Tale 389Korah was the richest man who ever lived. And his wealth destroyed him. The Midrash (rabbinic interpretive commentary) teaches that three hundred mules were neeExempla of the Rabbis (Gaster, 1924)Korah’s Riches & FallKorah's riches were legendary. And his fall was proportional to his wealth. The Talmud (Pesahim 119a, Jerusalem Talmud Sanhedrin 10:1) and Pirkei DeRabbi EliezeMidrash 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 AggadahKorah's Censers and the One Man God Would Choose to LiveWhen Korah and his company rose against the priesthood, Moses did not meet them with anger but with warning. Bring your firepans, he told them, and let the HolyMidrash TanchumaAssemble the Whole Congregation. God(Lev. 8:3:) “And assemble the whole congregation.” The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses, “Pay him honor in front of all Israel, in order that they may seeMidrash 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]