July 5, 2019 – Parsha Korach

Dear Scouts,

 

There has been rebellion in the Wilderness.

 

First, the Children of Israel, fresh from leaving Egypt and seeing all the miracles God performed to take them out of there, create and worship the Golden Calf.

 

Then, they get tired of the manna, say they miss the fruits and vegetables they had in Egypt, and want meat.

 

As they near Canaan, the land God has promised them, they send Meraglim (spies) to investigate the land. Instead of just sticking to the facts about how abundant the land is and that some of the inhabitants are “giants,” the Meraglim, except for Joshua and Caleb, give their opinion that the Israelites will not be able to conquer the land, causing the people to lose heart.

 

In each case, God punishes the rebellious people.

 

In this week’s parasha, Korach, a member of the Tribe of Levi, gathers 250 leaders of the people and stirs them into rebellion against the leadership of Moses of Aaron. Korach and his followers gather and confront Moses and Aaron. Korach says, “It is too much for you! For the entire assembly – all of them – are holy and God is among them. Why do you raise yourselves over the congregation of God?”

 

In stating his objection this way, Korach talks about the importance of the group without recognizing that the group is made up of individuals. While he is right that every member of the assembly is holy, Korach ignores the fact that some people, by their good works and righteous living, have raised themselves to even greater levels of holiness. Those people, like Moses and Aaron, have earned leadership.

 

Every member of your patrol is important. But if you’ve elected the right Scout as patrol leader, you have chosen someone who has learned how to camp and cook and hike, and who uses his skills to help the others in the patrol. He is not more important than anyone else in the patrol, he has more skills.

 

It’s a challenge to be a good leader. When you find one, you’ll help the group by being a good member and working with the leader to create a better patrol for everyone.

 

Shabbat shalom,

Nelson