Have you ever been in an earthquake, where the ground beneath your feet which should be solid, begins to roll instead as if it were fluid? The thing that should support you, that should nourish you, terrifies you instead?  Or perhaps it was a metaphoric earthquake in your life?

Korach, the rebel experiences such an earthquake, the earth swallows him at Moses summoning of The Holy One(!) Source sheet linked here for texts

Challenging the authority of Moses and Aaron, Korach is certainly vilified in our tradition, even though he makes a good point: all the community/witnesses are all holy, and the G!d is in their midst.  He says it with 250 leaders at his back: it is clearly an insurrection! The judgement of Korach is righteous, but brutally cruel. The earth opened her mouth and swallowed him and his compatriots up with their households and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol, terrifyingly vanishing from the midst of the kahal/congregation. The women, his children, even the babies perish, and a fire follows, as often happens in earthquakes, taking even more lives.

There also is support in our tradition that honors the rebel, and heals the wound of the innocents swallowed alive that day.

For example, after Korach challenges Moses and Aaron, Moses falls on his face as “if in a prophesy” says Ibn Ezra. The implied prophecy: perhaps one day all the community will be holy! The singular is used, as only Moses falls on his face. Aaron does not participate in this drama due to modesty, to keep the peace, and to honor Korach, says the Ramban. In the next chapter Aaron’s staff sprouts flowers and fruits, in the more peaceful battle of the tribes! Now that’s what the earth is supposed to do, sprout almonds!

As for healing the wounds of Korach’s children, they were given the honor of singing fifteen of the most beautiful psalms. According to Midrash Tanchuma, they never died, and sing praises in harmony to this day! After Yonah is swallowed by the great fish, it swims down to the ocean’s depths, “And Jonah saw the Stone of the Foundation there, set in the depths. And he saw the sons of Korach, standing and praying upon it. It said to Yonah, “Behold, you are standing under the Palace of the G!d; pray and you will be answered.” 

Of the psalms of the children of Korach, psalm 85 seems particularly healing in the aftermath of that earthquake. What if the truths of their father’s words, both the prophetic voice and the challenging ones were to meet up with loving kindness? What if the justice given their father could have lovingly kissed peace? Imagine what a world that would be!

Chesed V’Emet, A three part round.

From psalm 85, a psalm of Korach’s Children

Original setting, recording coming soon!

Chesed v’emet nifgashu,

Loving kindness and Truth

have met one another

Imagine that!

Truth shall spring from the earth

Righteousness will gaze down from the sky

And G!d will supply the Good

And the earth will nourish body and soul

And the earth will nourish us whole

Tsedek v’shalom nashaku

Righteousness and Peace

have kissed one another!