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sunk to low spiritual levels, one must at times risk lowering one’s self, the verse recounts, “and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed
in a certain sense, to their levels. Seen from this perspective, falling them” (Numbers 16:32).
has a positive connotation, which may account for the nuns being Likewise, the very image of the earth opening its mouth in the
inverted. The inversion hints that not all falling is negative; there is context of Cain’s and Korach’s punishments expresses the principle
also the very important principle of “descent in order to ascend,” a of “measure for measure” as both Cain and Korach were tripped up
vital service performed by the righteous, which will be brought to its by the words that came out of their own mouths when they opened
consummate level by the Mashiach. them to speak. In recounting Cain’s murder of Abel, the Torah states
The numerical value of the word “Mashiach” is 358, which is the the following: “Cain spoke with his brother Abel. And it happened
same as the numerical value of the word “nachash” (the primordial when they were in the field that Cain rose up against his brother
snake of the Garden of Eden). The latter word begins with a nun. and killed him” (Genesis 4:8). While the text does not tell us what
When the energy of the snake is rectified and inverted, its power Cain spoke with his brother about, presumably, this conversation led
will only be used for the good. The Ba’al Shem Tov taught that each to Abel’s murder. In Korach’s case Rashi explains that the opening
individual contains a spark of Mashiach and he or she must work at phrase of the portion, “and Korach took” (Numbers 16:1), which
revealing this spark in the world. When a critical mass of sparks has lacks any direct object in the text, refers to his taking the peoples’
been revealed, the Mashiach’s soul will be drawn into the world. Until hearts, tricking them by cloaking his own anger and ambition in
then, we all must struggle and ask, like Moses, for God’s assistance in populist rhetoric aimed at enlisting their support. 15
overcoming all the obstacles blocking our paths to fulfilling our own Another instance of “measure for measure” is alluded to by
individual roles as well as the ultimate mission of the Jewish people.
Korach’s lineage, mentioned at the beginning of the portion:
“Korach son of Izhar, son of Kehat, son of Levi.” The righteous Levi
is mentioned, but not Jacob. Rashi asks why Korach’s lineage was
not traced all the way back to Jacob. He answers by quoting the
£Prophecy: Past, Present, and FutureProphecy: Past, Present, and FutureProphecy: Past, Present, and Future Midrash which states that Jacob foresaw Korach’s sin and prayed
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not to be mentioned in connection with it. This being the case, we
might expect the righteous Levi to also be excluded from the list.
In response to Moses’ request not to bear the burden of the people by However, perhaps Levi’s presence is necessary because it alludes to
himself, God tells him to gather seventy elders to assist him. Since another instance of “measure for measure.” When Joseph found his
seventy does not divide evenly by twelve, an equal number of elders brothers herding the flocks, Levi and Shimon plotted to kill him, but
from each tribe could not be appointed. In order to spare Moses the Reuben convinced them to throw him in a pit instead. Perhaps, on a
unpleasantness of slighting any of the tribes, God instructed him to symbolic level, the pit used to hold Joseph comes back to swallow up
choose seventy-two elders (six from each tribe) and then cast a lot to Korach, Levi’s direct descendant. Indeed, Korach’s jealousy of his
determine which two would not be included in the final count. When first cousins (Moses and Aaron) parallels Levi’s jealousy of Joseph,
two of the elders, Eldad and Medad, voluntarily opted out of the so perhaps Korach’s death can be seen on some level as a “measure
lottery in favor of the others, God’s spirit rested upon them and they for measure” response to Levi’s actions.
began to prophesy. Joshua pleaded with Moses to stop them, but
Moses responded: “Are you zealous for my sake? Would it be that all Our discussion of “measure for measure” here highlights a number
the people of God could be prophets, if God would place His spirit on of crucial points. This principle can manifest itself immediately or
them” (Numbers 11:29). at a future date. In some cases, the Divine accounting process may

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