Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Korach/0/en

Shabbat Table Topics – Parashat Korach

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Prophetic Fallibility and Divine Immutability

In the middle of Korach's rebellion, Hashem tells Moshe to separate from the "עדה", so He can destroy them.  Moshe argues, "if one man sinned, will you destroy the entire "עדה"?  Hashem replies by telling Moshe to separate the "עדה" from the dwelling of Korach, Datan and Aviram.  Due to the ambiguity inherent in identifying who comprised the "עדה" referred to in each of the above statements, this short dialogue raises a host of questions:

• Was Hashem really threatening to impose collective punishment on the entire nation for the crimes of a minority?  Is collective punishment legitimate?
• Is it possible that Moshe misunderstood Hashem's intent, and when Hashem initially used the word "עדה", he was referring not to the entire nation, but only to Korach's followers?  Can a prophet make a mistake and misunderstand Divine communication?
• Did Hashem change course after Moshe's intercession? What does it mean for an immutable God to change His mind?  Is that even possible?
• Debate these issues at your Shabbat table using Dialogue with the Divine During Korach's Rebellion as a guide.

Korach in Art

Compare various depictions of Datan and Aviram's punishment as an entree into a discussion of the following questions: 

• What was the nature of the miracle of the earth opening up?  Was this a full fledged earthquake, a sinkhole or an unknown phenomenon?
• Were only Datan and Aviram and their families swallowed by the earth or was Korach killed along with them?  Which verses would support each position?
• What was the role of the larger nation in the rebellion?  Were they simply innocent bystanders or did they either passively or actively support Korach?
• For artwork and analysis, see Korach's Fate in Art.