Q&A: The Sons of Korach Did Not Die
The Sons of Korach Did Not Die
Question
How can one distinguish between a dispute that is proper, necessary, important, and obligatory, and one that is forbidden?
Answer
There is no such thing as a forbidden dispute. There are improper ways to conduct a dispute. I don’t know how to lay down hard-and-fast rules. There is common sense.
Discussion on Answer
I don’t know. I don’t engage in studying the Bible, because it is open to interpretations, and therefore everyone reads into it what he himself thinks and wants. I can offer you possibilities, all of which rely on what I myself think. I didn’t learn any of this from the Torah, and the same is true of any other commentator as well (they just don’t admit it). Maybe the problem was the motives involved (in reference to the last column), which were self-interested. Maybe the problem was a lack of commitment to the Torah that Moses brought. Maybe the problem was the way the dispute was conducted (not substantive and personal). Anything is possible. My words are worth no more and no less than those of any other commentator and any other little sermon you’ll read this Sabbath in the pamphlets handed out in the synagogues.
What were Korach’s improper ways?
What, if he had done it in the dispute, would have been considered legitimate?