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How Could Anyone Suspect Moshe of Infidelity?

Five Perspectives on this Enigmatic Story—and the Maharal’s Definition of Marriage

1 hr 40 min

Menucha Yankelewitch

Class Summary:

This class was presented Sunday morning, 27 Sivan 5776, July 3, 2016, at Or Chaim Shul in Monsey, NY. It is probably one of the seemingly most absurd statements in the Talmud: “Moses heard and he fell on his face. What was the rumor Moses heard? Rabbi Shmuel the son of Nachmani said in the name of Rabbi Yonoson: He heard that they suspected him of having relations with a married woman.”

But this seems insane, to say the least. Where did the Talmud get this from? The Torah merely states that Korach was challenging Moses’ leadership, not his fidelity? Furthermore, how could anybody take such a rumor seriously? How could Korach and his cronies spread such a ludicrous blood libel against the greatest prophet of all times, who gave the Jewish people all the laws against adultery and promiscuity, and about whom G-d said that “he is loyal in my entire home?” 

The class explores five perspectives, three of them from the Maharal of Prague. From his first interpretation we discover that the Talmud was not offering a new story here; rather it was explaining the depth and sophistication behind Korach’s mutiny. Korach’s argument was not hollow and brute; it was profound, and hence managed to attract the hearts of 250 Jewish prominent men. His argument is not to be easily dismissed; it is a wise viewpoint that requires deliberation. The argument was this: Moses is disrupting a sacred marriage. The concept of a Moshe, of a “Rebbe” in Jewish life according to Korach, is corrupt and dangerous.

Please leave your comment below!

  • A

    Avi -2 years ago

    wow what a shiur! The Megaleh Amukos at the end was the "cherry on the top. 

    See Toras Chaim In Sanhedrin 110a for a another explantion

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  • טק

    טל קפלן -7 years ago

    שיעור בנוי לתלפיות!
    וכמו תמיד הנושא פיקנטי ומסקרן !
    אם כבר הזכרת את שאלתו/תמיהתו של הכלי יקר היה ראוי לציין שהוא מתרץ על דרך תירוצו האחרון של המהרל: כל המתגאה כאילו בא על כל העריות שמכיוון שמחפש להתעלות ולשלוט על כולם בסוף יגיע לרצות לשלוט בא"א
    כמובן שלא מתוק כהמהרל אך דומה
    2. היה כדאי לציין שלא רק בגמרא זה מוזכר אלא התרגום יונתן בן עוזיאל מזכיר זאת וגם בעל הטורים מוצא את זה בגימטריא
    3. מזל טוב לרב ג'ייקוסון לרגל יום הולדתו ביום שישי הקרוב!!!

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  • ER

    Esther Rachel -8 years ago

    why does Hashem rectify this world with relationships? Hashem is the creator, +can just fix it as though it never happened.

    Reply to this comment.Flag this comment.

Class Korach

Rabbi YY Jacobson

  • July 3, 2016
  • |
  • 27 Sivan 5776
  • |
  • 4041 views
Leilu Nishmas Reb Eliyahu Tzion ben Reb Chananya Niasoff ז״ל
And in the merit of our partner in Torah, Yigal Yisroel ben Sofia, שיחי׳

 

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