Korah Took the Hearts of Israel with Soft Words

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Korach 2:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[Another interpretation of] "And he took." "And he took" is nothing other than an expression of drawing [people] with soft words, for he drew all the great ones of Israel and the Sanhedrins after him. Concerning Moses it is written, "And Moses and Aaron took these men" (Numbers 1:17), and likewise it is written, "Take Aaron and his sons" (Numbers 20:25). Hence, "And Korah took" — that with soft words he drew their hearts.

Themes

RebellionHumorWitPriesthoodMoses

Biblical References

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Midrash 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 Tanchuma Buber, BamidbarWhy God Spared the Kohathites Despite Korah's RebellionWhen God commanded the Levite clans to be numbered, a warning came with it: "Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathite." Why such tenderness towMidrash Tanchuma Buber, KorachWhy Korah and Dathan Stayed Silent Before MosesMoses tried, with patient words, to soothe Korah and pull him back from the brink. But Korah answered nothing. He was no fool; his cunning ran the depth of his Midrash AggadahThe Well of the Princes Dug by Moses and Aaron's StaffWhen the Torah sings of the well, "which the nobles of the people delved, with the lawgiver, with their staves", the sages heard names hidden inside the praise.Midrash AggadahWhy the Priesthood's Challengers Are Struck With LeprosyWhy does Scripture warn that no challenger of the priesthood should be "like Korah and his company"? Korah's punishment was that the earth split open and swalloBamidbar RabbahMoses's Journey of AaronOur story centers around the verses in (Numbers 20:25-28): "Take Aaron and Elazar his son, and take them up Hor Mountain… Strip Aaron of his vestments, and dres