That feeling, that potent brew of envy and ambition, is at the heart of the story of Korah.

But the Midrash, specifically Bamidbar Rabbah, doesn't just tell us Korah argued, assembled people, or even spoke out. It says he "took." What did he take? The Midrash answers: He took nothing outwardly. Rather, “his heart took him.” It's a subtle but crucial distinction. The verse from Job says it all: “To what does your heart take you, and what do your eyes intimate?” (Job 15:12). It wasn't about a rational argument; it was about the desires that consumed him.

Rabbi Levi delves into Korah’s motivations. Why did Korah, of all people, challenge Moses? He was, after all, from a distinguished family. Korah's claim, as Rabbi Levi presents it, is fascinating. "I am the son of oil," he declared, "ben Yitzhar" (Numbers 16:1). Yitzhar refers to oil. He points to the verse in Deuteronomy (7:13): “And He will bless your wine [vetiroshekha], and your oil [veyitzharekha]…” Here, vetiroshekha is wine, and veyitzharekha is oil.

Korah then makes his argument. "Every liquid into which you place oil, it is on top." Oil rises. It signifies prominence, leadership. He even references Zechariah 4:14: “These are the two anointed dignitaries [benei hayitzhar], literally, “sons of oil,” who attend the Lord of the entire land." Does oil have children? Of course not! The Midrash explains that these sons of oil are Aaron and David, both anointed with sacred oil. Aaron took the priesthood, and David the kingship.

And here’s the crux of Korah’s complaint, the seed of his rebellion: "I, who am the son of oil, am not anointed. Shouldn't I also become priest and king?" This perceived slight, this feeling of being overlooked, led him to dispute Moses.

So, what are we to make of Korah’s argument? Was he justified in feeling slighted? The Midrash doesn't explicitly say, but it does highlight the dangers of unchecked ambition and the destructive power of a heart consumed by envy. Korah saw himself as deserving, as naturally entitled to greatness, but his focus on what he lacked blinded him to what he already possessed. It's a cautionary tale, isn't it? A reminder to examine our own hearts, to question the motivations that drive us, and to be wary of the "oil" that might be leading us astray.