Korach Challenges Moses on the All-Blue Tallit and the Mezuzah

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Korach 4:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"Now Korach took." What is written above on this matter? "Speak to the children of Israel [and say to them] that they make for themselves tassels" (Numbers 15:38). Korach said to Moses our teacher: Moses, a prayer shawl (tallit) that is entirely blue, what is the rule — is it exempt from the tassel? Moses said to him: It is obligated in the tassel. Korach said to him: A prayer shawl that is entirely blue does not exempt itself, yet four threads exempt it? A house that is full of scrolls, what is the rule — is it exempt from the mezuzah? He said to him: It is obligated in the mezuzah. He said to him: The whole Torah has two hundred and seventy-five passages (parashot) in it, and they do not exempt the house, yet the two passages that are in the mezuzah exempt the house? He said to him: These matters you were not commanded concerning them; rather, you are inventing them out of your own heart. This is what is written: "Now Korach took."

Themes

MosesWisdomHumorAdam EveWit

Biblical References

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