“You, Korah, and all your followers are to do this: Take censers and tomorrow put burning coals and incense in them before the LORD. The man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far!” — Numbers 16:6–7

The Torah portion for this week is Korach, which means “Korah,” from Numbers 16:1–18:32, and the Haftorah is from 1 Samuel 11:14–12:22.

In this week’s reading, we learn that after Korah challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron, Moses turned the tables and challenged Korah to a “spiritual duel.” Korah and his followers contended that Moses and Aaron had unrightfully awarded themselves too much power and Korah and his followers felt they deserved a share of the power.

Moses suggested that they let God decide, leaving no doubt whatsoever as to who had the rightful authority. Moses declared that Aaron would bring an incense offering to God and anyone else who wanted to could do likewise. The catch was that only one offering would be consumed and only one priest would survive. Whoever’s offering God accepted would be His chosen priest.

The Sages ask, “What was Korah thinking?” Not that long ago, Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu, who were priests as well, were put to death for bringing unauthorized incense offerings into the Tabernacle. Why would Korah think that his fate would be any different? Did he really think that he was a match for Aaron?

The Sages explain that Korah was fooled by his own greatness. He already was a prominent man and had heard a prophecy that he would have illustrious descendants. Centuries later, the Levites would sing psalms in the Temple that would be attributed to “the sons of Korah” (Psalm 87). He foresaw that the great prophet Samuel would come from his family line. So Korah concluded that surely he would be the one to survive.

But Korah was mistaken. Ultimately, Korah perished in the contest. What he failed to consider was that his sons, who originally sided with him, would repent and support Moses. They would carry on the line of Korah, but Korah himself would not live to see it.

Earlier this year, one of the greatest Jewish philanthropists, Paul Reichmann, passed away at age 82. Together, Paul and his brothers had built a multi-billion dollar real estate empire, yet at one point, the brothers went bankrupt. I was touched by the humility of a comment Paul made about the costly mistake. He remarked, “The fact that I had never been wrong created character flaws that caused me to make mistakes.” Eventually, the brothers recovered and rebuilt their fortune, but Paul’s message remains as true as ever. Even in our successes – especially in our victories – we must remain humble. We must not become victims of our own success or believe that we are invincible like Korah once did.

The Sages teach, “Don’t believe in yourself until the day of your death.” We must never be too sure of ourselves and we must rely constantly on God’s favour. Life is a fragile gift – one that we must treat with great respect and care.