Voices of WRJ: Parashat Korach

In preparation for this week’s message, I re-read Parashat Korach (Numbers16:1−18:32). As I read, I was reminded of the preparation for my adult Bat Mitzvah, which occurred on this same parashah. How interesting that the verses in Korach which caught my attention almost 15 years ago are not the same ones which resonate with me today. Let’s look at a brief recap of the portion. Korach and his followers, Dathan and Abiram, lead a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. God punishes the rebels by burying them and their families alive. Once again, God brings a plague on the people. The chief of each tribe deposits his staff inside the Tent of Meeting. Aaron's staff brings forth sprouts, produces blossoms, and bears almonds. The Kohanim and Levites are established and assigned the responsibility of managing the donations to the Sanctuary. All of the firstborn offerings shall go to the priests and all the tithes are designated for the Levites in return for the services they perform. Most commentaries focus on Korach’s rebellion and spend a great deal of time (and internet bandwidth) discussing the hows and whys of such folly. Some discuss in detail exactly how the earth opened up and swallowed Korach and his entire family. Indeed, the d’var I gave at my bat mitzvah focused on the rebellion and punishment – a fact not lost on my two teenage children! I still believe that grappling with Korach’s rebellion, Moses’ response, and God’s punishment is important. However, this year, as I read, a very different passage touched my heart. As we read above, in the fifth aliyah God told Moses to collect a staff from the chieftain of each of the 12 tribes, inscribe each man’s name on his staff, inscribe Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi, and deposit the staffs in the Tent of Meeting. The next day, Moses entered the Tent and Aaron’s staff had sprouted, blossomed, and borne almonds. What a beautiful metaphor for what my involvement in WRJ has done for me! As I read those words, I thought of those women who, through WRJ, have touched my life. When I began my sisterhood journey almost 20 years ago, I was like that staff- knotted and knarled and immature. Through my experiences with my own sisterhood (Congregation Emanu El in Houston, TX), my district (now the Southwest District), and the WRJ board, I grew and flourished. I began to develop my self-confidence and with that, my leadership skills. With every step I took on my journey, the women who had walked that path before me supported me, encouraged me, and helped me take my place among the leadership of this organization, which I love so much. At each stage of my sisterhood growth, someone was there to mentor me. Look around you. Someone needs your touch. There is a woman in your sisterhood with great potential. She might sit at the back of the room, or not even be at the table yet. All she needs to blossom is your hand, outstretched to guide her. On this Shabbat when we gather to hear the story of Korach and his rebellious friends, let us remember the other story in this parashah, and reach out to those around us who could use our touch to blossom and bring forth their gifts.