Korach (parsha)

Korach (named after the biblical figure Korach ) denotes a reading portion ( Parasha or Sidra called ) of the Torah, and includes the text of Numbers / Bemidbar 16.1 to 18.32.

It is the Sidra of the 4th or 5th Sabbath in the month of Sivan, or the first Sabbath of the month of Tammuz.

Gist

• Korach, cousin of Moses and Aaron, and Dathan, Abiram, and On, the son of Pelet, rebel against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of arrogance and hubris and are therefore swallowed up by the earth.
• The 250 insurgents who offered incense to be without priests are consumed by fire.
• Because of the grumbling of the Israelites there breaks out an epidemic that is stopped by Aaron through atonement ( offering of incense ), after almost 15 000 people have died.
• Aaron's rod carries flowers and brings forth almonds as a sign of divine election.
• The priest, in addition to the gifts of animal and food offerings, the firstfruits, ie first royalties from oil, wine and grain, the firstborn of man and of unclean animals, which is initiated ( see also Pidyon ha - Ben ).
• The firstborn of clean animals is sacrificed and eaten by the priests.
• Levites receive tithes ( Ma'asser ) of oil, wine and grain and give themselves the tithes of which the priests.

Haftorah

The associated Haftarah is 1 Sam 11.14 to 12.22.