The Positive In The Negative

By: By R’ Mordechai Young

By R’ Mordechai Young

For a few years I worked in an afternoon program teaching some boys. Towards the end of the year, the yeshiva told me that the program wouldn’t continue the next year as they lacked the funding. I felt a sense of relief. Although it was rewarding working there, it was a relief to not be obligated to continue. But at the same time, it was tough news because I needed to find a different position to fill up that time slot.

In this week’s parashah, Korach, we know Korach convinced a group to make a rebellion. They gathered to complain against Moshe and Aharon, saying: “Rav lachem,” which translate to “You have taken too much upon yourselves.” Or “You have taken too much greatness for yourselves since the entire community is holy, and Hashem is amongst them. Why do you raise yourselves above the congregation of G‑d?”

Rashi explains that once Moshe was appointed almost as a King, he shouldn’t have chosen his brother as the Kohen Gadol. Moshe heard this and fell on his face before responding. The Baal HaTanya gives a fascinating explanation as to why he fell on his face. Moshe Rabbeinu thought, “I only hear nice things about myself, so can’t find ways to improve like that. Now there are people angry with me, so maybe there is some truth in their words and I can make some improvements.”

Moshe thought it over and realized there was no truth to what they said, so he was able to argue with them. One of Moshe Rabbeinu’s responses to the Leviim who joined Korach (16:7) was: “Rav lachem bnei Levi,” using the same words they said to him. The Gemara Sotah (13b) states Rebbi Levi taught that Moshe used the word “rav” (a lot) to rebuke the people who were rebelling against him, so Hashem used the same word “rav” to proclaim to him that he would not enter Eretz Yisrael. Similar to using a harsh word to rebuke others, so the same word is used against you. Why would the word be “thrown back” at Moshe Rabbeinu given that they were rebelling? 

Rashi in the Gemara explains that Hashem judges tzaddikim very strictly and Moshe was punished measure for measure using the same words. It’s interesting when learning the pasuk in the Chumash that there are different explanations, one positive and one negative. Rashi on the Chumash explains it was a big (rav) thing to argue with Hashem. Since Hashem chose these positions (and some of their other questions on halacha), they were essentially going against Hashem. This fits with the Gemara that it was negative, so later a negative message came to Moshe using the same word (rav). Others learn that Moshe was trying to convince them not to rebel, telling them they had a lot of good already, since being Leviim is very special. So he gave them a positive message. How does this fit with the Gemara? 

When looking at the second pasuk, the Gemara quoted in Devarim (3:26) says that Moshe had just begged Hashem to go to Eretz Yisrael. Hashem responded no, “rav lach,” too much for you. Rashi in Devarim brings two explanations. One is a Medrash with a positive message to Moshe that something greater (than going to the holy land) is waiting for you. According to the Sifsei Chachamim, the hidden reward in the Next World is better than going to Eretz Yisrael. How does this positive message fit with the Gemara? If you explain Moshe’s message to the Leviim during the rebellion on a positive note, then Hashem gave Moshe back a positive message as in the reward. The way we explained the Gemara was according to Rashi, who learned that Moshe spoke to the Leviim in a negative manner so he got back a negative response with the same words. I was very happy to see in the Ein Yaakov on this Gemara one of the mefarshim actually explained the Gemara in a positive way, so both messages were positive. This was a great proof! I was wondering how the same message could be both positive and negative. How can we say Moshe was punished and rewarded with the same word, “rav”? Perhaps we can say that both happened: It was negative and hurtful not going to Eretz Yisrael, but Hashem turned it around and rewarded Moshe with a positive message of Olam Haba at the exact moment he needed comforting. Moshe needed chizuk after hearing that he would definitively not enter Eretz Yisrael. Like the story we started with. We learn here that if one hears something tough, remember that Hashem is there and the same message can have a positive message hidden to lift you up as well.

Have great Shabbos! 

R’ Mordechai Young can be reached for comments at [email protected].