Korach

The passuk states that Moshe sent to call Dasan and Avirom to come, and they responded “we will not ascend.” They added, “You brought us up to kill us in the Midbar, you made yourselves great over us, and you have not brought us into Eretz Yisrael.” They said, “העיני האנשים ההם תנקר לא נעלה” which Onkelos translates as “if it will be that you send to blind the eyes of these men we will not ascend.” Moshe got very angry and said to Hashem, “אל תפן אל מנחתם, do not turn to their mincha.” What does “their mincha” refer to and why should Hashem not turn towards it?

Rashi explains, their mincha refers to the ketores that they will be offering before Hashem tomorrow – do not turn to it. The Ramban is bothered: Dasan and Avirom were not part of the group of people who offered ketores? Rashi brings another explanation b’shem the Midrash: Moshe said, “I know that they have a portion in the daily burnt-sacrifices, do not accept their portion before You for favor, let the fire leave it and not burn it. This implies that without Moshe’s davening, their portion in the daily burnt-sacrifice would indeed have been able to atone for them. Reb Chaim Kohler explained: since they are part of the tzibbur they are accredited together with them.

Onkelos translates “ויאמר אל ה’ אל תפן אל מנחתם” as “And he said before Hashem, ‘Do not accept their offering with favor.’” The Ramban says they wanted to be Kohanim and offer korbanos. Moshe said “Do not turn to their korban which they will offer before You or to the davening which they will daven before You.” Onkelos’ translation includes any type of thing which they bring close before You, whether it be a korban or a davening, do not accept any of them favorably.

The Seforno explains that Moshe said: “do not turn to any type of korban which they will bring to atone for them since I do not forgive them for my pain.” Yom Kippur atones for Aveiros between a person and Hashem; however; Yom Kippur does not atone for aveiros between a person and his friend until one appeases his friend. “Since I (Moshe) do not forgive them there is no way for them to become forgiven without me.”

Moshe continued, “לא חמור אחד מהם נשאתי.” Rashi explains: I did not take one of their donkeys when I left from Midyan to Mitzrayim, and I rode my wife and kids on a donkey. I should have taken from you a donkey, but I did not, rather I only took from my own. The Ramban adds, Moshe said, I did not take authority and rulership over them by taking even one donkey for my needs (which is normal and common) as kings and noblemen do, as it is part of the rules of kingship. I did not even take something small which I am entitled. The Seforno adds, even what a simpleton has pleasure from his friend I did not benefit from them – I did not even borrow one donkey. This proves that my entire authority of position was for their benefit, and to fix their things, not for my benefit and pleasure as the custom of other rulers. You are complaining about my authority because you are missing appreciation for what was done for you. If you were to realize that I did not benefit whatsoever and I am here to assist you, you would express appreciation instead of complaint.

Moshe tried to resolve the argument by summoning Dasan and Aviram and work out their issues. Not only did they refuse to come, they spoke harshly against Moshe.

Let us learn from Moshe to initiate peace and try to resolve arguments.