Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

Right makes might

The Torah portion Korach, which we will soon read, is terrifyingly pertinent to what is besetting our world today.

The Israelite community is being torn as those protesting their lack of voice and equal standing come into conflict with those they deem protective of their institutionalised power to maintain a discriminatory and inequitable system through which they profit at the expense of others.

Korach and his band “assemble” against Moshe and Aharon claiming “you have too much power” (rav lachem), you have “raised yourself” above everyone else. The challenged leaders respond that, indeed, “you have too much power” (rav lachem) and would factionalise the community to further your personal interests.

From Abraham through the Prophets, the Jewish tradition is seen as one in which we speak truth to power, be it even or especially king and God. Such voices raised in protest, the Rabbis say, are “arguments for the sake of heaven, which will perdure” as they seek to advance the truth. Korach and his followers, the Rabbinic tradition adds, were seeking power instead of truth.

Recently the Bible was held aloft by the president of the US in front of a church which only a short time before had been cleared of peaceful protesters by riot police and tear gas.

Religious leaders and organisations took exception with this display which was deemed as suggesting that it is a divine mandate to quell righteous protest under the guise of securing public welfare. And, while he declared “I am your president of law and order and an ally of all peaceful protesters,” the episode of Korach cautions us to take note of one whose politics and rhetoric sow divisiveness and discord which is destructive of the very peace he would now seek to enforce.

Significantly, our Bible proclaims in no uncertain terms that law and order can only exist where it promotes peace.“You shall appoint shoftim and shotrim in all your settlements and they shall govern the people with due justice. While shoftim means judges, shotrim, in today’s parlance would be police, the term utilised in Israel.

Rabbi Hayim David HaLevi, Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel observes that police are mentioned together with judges for indeed the power and influence they yield is considerable in maintaining a just peace. The police officer, he maintains, must be of strong moral character, knowledgeable of the law and a discerning individual cognisant of the “damage he can cause materially and psychologically”.

Police brutality is reflective of deeper ills and divisions within the society. George Floyd’s head and neck pushed down to the ground reverberated in a worldwide groundswell:

“Get your knee off our necks”.

The very first words of the Preamble of the US Constitution speaks of “We the people” striving to “form a more prefect union”, establishing “justice” and securing “liberty for all”. Korach reminds us to be vigilant to hear every voice but not to mistake speaking power to truth for truth to power.                          

“Loving kindness and truth embrace; justice and peace kiss each other
Truth springs forth from the ground; and righteousness looks out from the heavens”
The Psalm of the Sons of Korach