WE’VE PROBABLY ALL met someone like Korach in our lives, and come across Dasans and Avirams. If you’re a humble person, you might find yourself repulsed by them, and find yourself wondering, “Don’t they see what they look like? Don’t they hear what they sound like?”
If yes, then apparently it doesn’t bother them. They might even enjoy it, get “chizuk” from it. But that just makes the question even stronger, especially if they are Torah observant. If you don’t believe in God, or that He cares what we do down here, then it is easy to be “ga’vahdik,” overly proud. Some people prefer power more than friends.
But if you believe in God and Torah, then it is hard not to know that God emphasizes the need to be humble. You can’t be arrogant and have fear of God, and fear of God is essential for being a “good” Torah Jew. You can’t be both even if you dress and act the part. God says so.
So how could Korach be who he was, and Dasan and Aviram as well, and all those who fell in behind them? The question only becomes stronger if you factor in the Shechinah surrounding the Jewish camp, making God as real as it gets to a person. Even class troublemakers curb their troublemaking activities once the teacher returns to the classroom.
If I said that I was humble I would not sound very humble. I’d like to think that I try to be, but I’m sure there are others who would disagree. But I do remember moments in my life when, for some reason, even I noticed my arrogance. But as bad as I might have felt, it was offset by an accompanying feeling of exhilaration. I know it was wrong and that I had to reign my ego in, but there was no denying this wonderful (but illusionary) sense of power and independence.
Perhaps it felt good because it compensated for some insecurity, which always feels empowering. Perhaps it validated my existence, which we all need to do from time to time. I don’t recall, but I do remember thinking, “Wow, I can see why some people don’t go back.”
Egotism can be addictive. Anything that the brain sees as pleasurable it takes note of and looks for more. Some people realize that the “more” is dangerous and talk themselves out of it. Others succumb to the temptation, maybe thinking “Just one more…” only to find themselves saying the same thing again and again until they pass the point of no return and the illicit pleasure becomes an addiction.
Many a big mistake started off as many smaller ones. That’s what the Gemora warns: A person sins once, twice, and then it becomes permissible to him. Permissible to him? Well, he acts as if it is permissible to him (Kiddushin 20a). Korach, Dasan, and Aviram, et al didn’t become arrogant overnight. This week’s parsha was the just the climax of years of working on it.
The point is, before you stand back and say, “I could never be a Korach,” think again. Lots of people have said the same thing and became one anyhow. If you have a yetzer hara, then you have the potential to be arrogant. Everyone usually is at one time or another. The question is, which people see it and course correct right away, and which ones do not? The earth may not open up for an arrogant person today like it did for Korach and company, but Gihenom will. And if not in this world, then certainly on the next one.
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Series Two of the “Sha’ar HaGilgulim Course” will begin in two weeks, b”H. For more information or to register, go to: https://www.shaarnunproductions.org/Sha-ar-HaGilgulim-Course.html.
Have a great Shabbos,
Pinchas Winston
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