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SALMAN RUSHDIE 
Monday, June 30 at 7:00 pm
This event is sold out; however, a limited number of unused tickets may be available for purchase at the door on the night of the event.

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue Tours
Sunday, July 6 from 12:00 - 3:00 pm
For further information, call 202.408.3100 or send an e-mail.

6TH IN THE CITY TRIVIA
Wednesday, July 2 at 7:00 pm
We'll test your knowledge of it all at our monthly trivia night for young professionals in their 20s and 30s. The cost is $10/person or $40/team (5 people) and includes all you can eat (light snacks) and drink (beer, wine and soda) and a chance to win some great prizes.
Co-sponsored with B'nai B'rith.
RSVP here or call 202.408.3100

Thursday, Sivan 23, 5768 / June 26, 2008

Parshat Korach, which we will read this Shabbat, begins with the argument ("Machlokes") of Korach and his people against Moshe and Aaron.

This unfortunate argument resulted in the deaths of Korach, who was swallowed into the earth, and the 250 people who were with him were burnt in a heavenly fire.

This argument brought another argument against Moshe and Aaron which resulted in the deaths of 14,700 people who died as a result of a plague. Thus, close to 15,000 Jewish people lost their lives as a result of Korach's rebellion against Moshe and Aaron.

Indeed one of the 613 mitzvot is the prohibition to sustain an argument. This prohibition is derived from this week's Parsha, "And you shall not be like Korach and his company (Numbers 17:5)."

Question: How is it that the Talmud is full of arguments amongst our greatest sages? Jewish law is full of different rabbinical opinions almost on every subject?

Answer: The Mishna in Pirkei Avot (Chapter of our Fathers) says, "Any dispute that is for the sake of Heaven (i.e. for the sake of G-d), will have a constructive outcome; but one which is not for the sake of Heaven will not have a constructive outcome." The Mishna continues, "What sort of dispute was for the sake of Heaven? - The dispute between Hillel and Shamai (two great Talmudic sages). And which was not for the sake of Heaven? - The dispute between Korach and his entire company."

Here lies the difference between these disputes. The argument between Hillel and Shamai was an argument for the sake of Heaven. But Korach and his people's argument against Moshe was a dispute for personal gain.

When the argument is for the "sake of Heaven," both parties are interested only in discovering the truth. Each one is interested in the truth and if proven wrong will readily admit that the other is right. Korach's rebellion against Moshe was only to achieve personal gain and glory, as a result of his jealousy of Moshe and Aaron.

This is why in describing the dispute of Korach and his people against Moshe and Aaron, it says, "Vayikach," which speaks in the "singular" (and he took). It should have said "Vayikchoo" (and they took)?

This is because each of them had their own personal reason to argue against Moshe. The only thing which united them was their hatred of Moshe, except for that, they were not united, for each one had his selfish interest.

The outcome of Korach's argument was a total loss for Korach and his colleagues. But the Halachic arguments of our great Talmudic sages are studied and revered to this day.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

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