In this week’s Parsha we we see a radical departure from Moshe Rabbenu’s usual attitude towards the mistakes of Am Yisrael. In general, whenever Am Yisrael sinned, Moshe Rabbenu was always there rallying to their defense. Sometimes, like by the egel, Moshe Rabbeinu would even offer his own life in order to help klal Yisrael. All those times the sin of klal Yisrael were against Hashem, and Moshe pleaded in their behalf. Here, in Parshas Korach, when the Jews sinned against Moshe not against Hashem, as they claimed that Moshe made all the appointments on his own, Moshe Rabbeinu doesn’t defend klal Yisrael. More problematic is that Moshe Rabbeinu even asks Hashem not to be forgiving to the perpetrators. Why is it that when the Aveira is against Moshe does Moshe Rabbeinu turn unforgiving and unyielding?

My uncle, Rav Yosef Dov Halevi Soloveitchik, ZT”L pointed out that this incident with Korach was the most dangerous of all the the sinful incidents in the Torah. All the other times thst the Jews sinned they gave in to their inclinations. Here, Korach challenged the Mesora, he claimed that Moshe Rabbeinu invented ideas and halachot on his own. With the attitude that the Mesora isn’t genuine one could destroy the Torah and the spiritual fabric of Am Yisrael. When the reputation of the Mesora is at stake there is no room for forgiveness as that could threaten the future of Am Yisrael. For that reason Moshe Rabbeinu seems unyielding and unforgiving.

At Nefesh Hatalmid, the Rabbanim recognize the importance of the Mesora, both the Mesora of halacha and  the Mesora of what is a Torah life. We try hard to pass on this Mesora to your children and consider ourselves your partners in this holy task. On behalf of the entire staff I would like to wish you and your family’s a happy and healthy summer and true yiddeshe nachas.