Why Korah and Dathan Stayed Silent Before Moses

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Korach 15:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[(Numbers 16:11) "And Aaron, what is he that you murmur against him?"] With all these words Moses appeased Korah, but you do not find that he answered him a word, because he was shrewd in his wickedness. He said: "If I answer him, I know that he is a great sage; now he will overpower me with his words and corrupt me, and I will be reconciled to him against my will. Better that I not engage with him." When Moses saw that there was no profit in him, he withdrew from him. "And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram" (Numbers 16:12). They too stood firm in their wickedness and did not bother to answer him. "And they said: 'We will not come up'" (ibid.). Their mouth caused them, the wicked ones, to stumble, for a covenant is made with the lips; and they went down to Sheol, as it is said: "And they went down, they and all that belonged to them, alive into Sheol" (Numbers 16:33). After they went down alive into Sheol, they died.

Themes

Divine JudgmentRebellionMosesHumorWit

Biblical References

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Midrash Tanchuma Buber, KorachKorah Took the Hearts of Israel with Soft WordsHear how the Torah opens its account of the rebellion: "And Korah took." Took what? The verse names no object, and that silence is itself the teaching. For "tooMidrash Tanchuma Buber, Ki TisaWhy God Counts Israel Like a Householder Reckons WheatRabbi Isaac opened with the way of a great householder. Such a man does not trouble his steward to count the baskets of dung, of chaff, or of straw heaped in hiMidrash Tanchuma Buber, TzavEsau Wraps Himself Like a Lion Beside Jacob Before His FallThe Maggid leans close. Listen, for the verse warns that those who blaspheme are judged in flame. So it was with Sisera, who oppressed Israel "with might", meanLegends of the JewsMoses's Transgression of AbiramLegends of the Jews turns to Moses's Transgression of Abiram. So, Moses, following God's instructions, tells the community to distance themselves from Dathan anMidrash TanchumaGod on to Moses Mankind Has Already Compelled Me to Descend fromGo, get thee down (Exod. 32:7). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: Mankind has already compelled Me to descend from this place to witness its degradatiMidrash 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]