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Why did Korach argue about the priesthood only after the sin of the spies? # 26347-EYAL-6
Some commentaries say that he thought he would obtain a more
prestigious position, once the nation entered Eretz Yisrael. Once he saw
that they would be detained in the Wilderness for another forty years, he
began his dispute.
Korach was a man of stature. In the future, he will be the High Priest. His
original motive was to become closer to Hashem, by means of serving in
a more prominent position in the nation. At first, he remained silent. He
knew that the mitzvot are more effective in Eretz Yisrael. There, his task
as Ark-bearer would reach a higher level.
After the sin of the spies, when it became apparent that the nation would
wander in the Wilderness for another forty years, Korach lost his patience
and began his revolt.
All in all, his dispute was not l’shem Shamayim, as described in Avot.
Although he began as a tzaddik, by the end of the incident, Moshe called
him a rasha.
