Today, we're diving into a fascinating story from the book of Numbers, and elaborated upon in the classic work, Legends of the Jews by Louis Ginzberg, a compilation of centuries of Jewish tradition, that explores just that, focusing on the rebellion of KORAH.
The story starts with a stark warning: God deals severely with discord. We read that the earth swallowed alive not only the ringleaders but even children, some just a day old! A chilling detail that underscores the gravity of the sin. But amidst this devastation, there are survivors. Out of the entire company of Korah, only four people escaped: ON, the son of Peleth, and Korah's three sons. And the reason for On's survival? His wife.
The tale paints a vivid picture of two women, contrasting their wisdom. "Every wise woman buildeth her house," the proverb goes, "but the foolish plucketh it down with her own hands." According to Ginzberg's retelling, it was Korah’s wife who, through her words, pushed her husband to his doom. Conversely, On’s wife is credited with his salvation. Talk about a contrast!
On, apparently a man of some distinction, had initially joined Korah’s rebellion. When he told his wife about it, she posed a simple, yet profound, question: "What benefit shalt thou reap from it? Either MOSES remains master and thou art his disciple, or Korah becomes master and thou art his disciple." A no-win situation!
On, seeing the truth, felt trapped. He had sworn an oath to Korah. His wife, however, was not about to let her husband be dragged down with the rebels. She told him to stay home. Then, to make absolutely sure, she plied him with wine until he fell into a deep, oblivious sleep.
Now comes the truly ingenious part. Knowing that "all the congregation are holy, and being such, they will approach no woman whose hair is uncovered," she stood at the entrance of their tent with her hair disheveled. (Remember, modesty customs were very strict then.) Any of Korah’s followers who came to fetch On were immediately repelled. Her strategic impropriety kept her husband from participating in the rebellion.
When the earth opened up, the bed on which On slept began to tremble. But On's wife grabbed the bed and cried out to God, reminding Him of On’s vow to abstain from dissension. "Thou that livest and endurest to all eternity canst punish him hereafter if ever he prove false to his vow." We find in Midrash Rabbah how powerful a wife's intercession can be on behalf of her husband, especially when coupled with genuine remorse.
God heard her plea, and On was spared.
Ashamed to face Moses, On refused to go to him. So, his wife went in his stead. Initially, Moses rebuffed her, wanting nothing to do with women, but her bitter weeping moved him. After hearing her story, he accompanied her to her house and called out, "On, the son of Peleth, step forth, God will forgive thee thy sins."
From that day forward, this former follower of Korah was known as On, "the penitent," son of Peleth, "miracle." Ginzberg tells us his true name was Nemuel, son of Eliab, a brother of Dathan and Abiram.
What are we to make of this story? It’s a reminder that even in moments of great upheaval and divine judgment, individual choices matter. It highlights the power of a wise woman to steer her husband away from destruction. And it offers a glimmer of hope: even after rebellion, repentance and forgiveness are possible. Perhaps the most profound aspect is that salvation often comes in unexpected forms – a wife’s cleverness, a drunken sleep, and a heartfelt prayer. It's a story that resonates even today, reminding us of the enduring power of wisdom, repentance, and the bonds of love.