Shabbat Parashat Korach 5786

Korach | 28 Sivan 5786 | 13/06/2026

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Shavua Tov!

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Parashat Hashavua: No One is Perfect; Some Repent

Rashi says that this parasha is explained well in the Tanchuma but does not explain in what way. He likely refers to the explanation of what Korach was thinking when he rebelled.

Clearly, Korach’s stature in Torah was special. One proof is from the fact that he was able to stir up such a controversy against Moshe, with the support of such prominent men. His 250 co-conspirators were described as “leaders of the congregation, those who are called to assemble, men of name” (Bamidbar 16:2). Chazal explain these distinctions – they knew how to decide on leap months and set the new month, and their names were heard throughout the world. (Sanhedrin 110a). It is inconceivable that they joined a person who was bereft of content. As people say, “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.” Korach was a complete person, as were his friends. This indeed was Korach’s claim: “For all of the congregation are holy, and Hashem is in their midst” (Bamidbar 16:3). Was he right?

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Ask the Rabbi: Early Lighting and/or Late Beracha

I, a single man, take in Shabbat early and have no one to light candles for me after plag hamincha (=plhm, a “relative” 1¼ hours before sunset). Considering the light will be in place on Shabbat, may I, in a case of need, light before plhm with or without a beracha? If it is too early, can I make the beracha on it when I return home, as sometimes berachot can be made later than the mitzva action?

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Moreshet Shaul: The Days that the Heaven is Above the Land – part I

The concept of “You shall immerse yourself in it (Torah) day and night” (Yehoshua 1:8) is flexible, and it refers to the time you are free from other involvements and are available. This is the time you should be studying Torah. This is what Rabbi Yishmael said to his nephew: “If you find a time that is neither day nor night, this is when you can learn ‘Greek wisdom’” (Menachot 99b). In other words, at these times when one is not involved in other things, that is the time one is commanded to be immersed in Torah [so that he is not free to study Greek wisdom].

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P'ninat Mishpat:  Regulation of Land Rights in a Settlement Extension – part I

The plaintiffs (=pl) used to live in an unrecognized settlement extension (=SE), which was the subject of past rulings of a beit din in the region (=pbdr) in 2014. Pl left SE in 2013, and returned in 2016, against the will of the settlement committee (=def), with the help of pressure from the regional council (=rc). Def instructed pl as to the boundaries of their lot, but pl expanded beyond them and ignored warnings to desist from such actions. In 2023, def started preparing neighboring lots for new units, including areas to which pl had asserted control, and def destroyed some of pl’s infrastructure. An official of rc wrote that he does not oppose pl’s use of the area, pl have called the police to stop the work, and the matter is before our beit din. Pl claims that since SE is not recognized as part of any jurisdiction but general national land, they are not bound by the instructions of def or rc. Also, as no one claims ownership but right of use, chazaka (squatter’s rights) does not require a claim, and pl deserve it because they developed the land before SE existed (SE is also temporary, until it joins the established settlement.)  Def claim that pl’s right to live in SE is based on a previous beit din ruling, and that ruling requires residents to following SE rules. Also, there is no chazaka because there were regular protests about pl’s expansions. Other claim elements will be fielded in future editions.
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