Korach: All of the Congregation are Holy

The motto of Korach’s rebellion against Moses was that “all of the congregation are holy.” Let us examine Korach’s proposition. On the one hand, Korach seems to be correct. Right before the Torah was given the people are told, “and you shall be unto me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.” In Leviticus we are commanded to be holy. “Be holy,” says G-d. Not only that, but the idea that everyone should have a chance to be a priest seems to be correct. “Anywhere where My Name will be caused to be said, I will come to you and bless you,” says G-d. At Mount Sinai, even the children of Israel “offered burnt offerings and brought forth peace offerings.” If we are supposed to all be holy and if even the children are worthy of being priests, what is wrong with Korach’s rebellion and his claims?  

The answer is that he confused the goal with the reality, the striving with an entitlement. Yes, we are to be holy. That is our goal. But have we achieved it? Yes, even the children are worthy to offer sacrifices, but not after their parents worshipped the golden calf. We have often been accused of being an elitist group claiming moral superiority. We should not claim to be elite, but we should claim to have high aspirations. This is nothing to be ashamed of. We strive, we try to be holy. Hopefully, this quest will make us worthy one day of the title "a holy congregation."