Parshat Korach

In Parshat Korach, we find Korach complaining about being overlooked for a priestly position. Rashi explains that Korach had a whole theory as to why he should have been the next priest. If you look at the words of the Torah, though, one thing doesn’t fit. It says that Korach 'took' himself, along with his 250 followers, and complained (16:1). What is the significance of that term?

Onkelus translates 'took' to mean 'separated', which is basically what Korach did to himself by arguing – he separated himself from the Jewish community. Rav Salant explains this on an even deeper level. He says that although Korach sinned, he was still rewarded with having Shmuel (Samuel) as a descendant, because through this argument, and because he was punished
with eternal hell, many people were stirred to do Teshuva (repent) for their sins.

So in a strange way some good came out of this. BUT...the Torah tells us that he still separated himself from society, and the Torah way. It may have helped a select few, but he still distanced himself from the way things should be done, and for that he was punished.

It's important for us to realize that there are many ways to accomplish goals, especially those spiritual in nature. The Torah is telling us that doing things your own way can be dangerous. Not impossible, and not wrong, but if we separate too much from society, it can potentially be dangerous. Should we blaze our own trail if someone took the time and effort to pave a road to reach the very same goal? May we all identify our own personal goals, and learn to reach them together!