(This Torah Teaching is for Shabbat of July 6th, 2025)
(Donate and support this Ministry by clicking here)
Torah: Numbers 16:1-18:32
Haftarah: 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22
Korach (קֹרַח)— Hebrew for the name “Korah,” which in turn means “baldness, ice, hail, or frost,” and has a connotation of Korah without a covering as he coveted the Priest’s position as his covering and thereby brought a curse upon himself and those he deceived into joining his rebellion. Korach is the second word in the parashah ands the 38th weekly Torah portion (פָּרָשָׁה, parashah) in the annual cycle of Torah reading and the fifth in the Book of Numbers. It tells of Korah’s failed attempt to overthrow Moses. It constitutes Numbers 16:1–18:32
Parsha B’ha’alotkha Summary
Numbers 16:1–18:32
Korach incites a mutiny challenging Moses’ leadership and the granting of the kehunah (priesthood) to Aaron. He is accompanied by Moses’ inveterate foes, Dathan and Abiram. Joining them are 250 distinguished members of the community, who offer the sacrosanct ketoret (incense) to prove their worthiness for the priesthood. The earth opens up and swallows the mutineers, and a fire consumes the ketoret-offerers.
A subsequent plague is stopped by Aaron’s offering of ketoret. Aaron’s staff miraculously blossoms and brings forth almonds, to prove that his designation as high priest is divinely ordained.
God commands that a terumah (“uplifting”) from each crop of grain, wine and oil, as well as all firstborn sheep and cattle, and other specified gifts, be given to the kohanim (priests).
An Amazing Pattern Revealed for us to Learn from:
The amazing thing that is revealed in the origin and process of Korach’s rebellion is that it is the same pattern that occurred in heaven with Lucifer’s rebellion originating in a focus on self, and the desire for self-exaltation! As you can see in the whiteboard depiction below all self focus, self-exaltation, and self-seeking leads to rebellion against God and severs oneself from the source of life and thus leads to self-destruction! Unfortunately, it also leads to the demise of others who align themselves with the rebellious as well. In contrast, God is selfless love… may we pattern ourselves after His likeness leading to life eternal!
NEW DVAR TORAH STUDIES FOR DEEPER UNDERSTANDING…
For further Torah study on parashah “Korach”, please enjoy the latest illustrated Dvar Torah video teaching below… Listen and learn from Rabbi Isaac as he takes your understanding to an even deeper level! Enjoy and be blessed!
ADVANCED KORACH DVAR TORAH
TORAH FOR YOUR CHILDREN…
For a simple cartoon summary of the Torah parashot for your children we recommend the following video below:
Haftarah
I Samuel 11:14 – 12:22
The prophet Samuel (a descendant of Korach, the protagonist of this week’s Torah portion) gathers the Jews to firmly install Saul as king of Israel. During the course of his address to the Jews he called out, “Here I am; bear witness against me before God and before His anointed; whose ox did I take, or whose ass did I take, or whom did I rob; or whom did I oppress, or from whose hand did I take a bribe…” This echoes Moses‘ statement in this week’s Torah reading: “I have not taken a donkey from a single one of them, and I have not harmed a single one of them.”
The nation gathers at Gilgal for a second coronation of King Saul–the first one having lacked a convincing consensus. They offer sacrifices and rejoice together. The prophet Samuel then delivers a talk: he asks the people to testify that he never committed crimes against the people, and they confirm. He discusses how God saved and aided them every step of the way and chastises them for wanting a flesh and blood king. He assures them that God will be with them if they follow in His ways, and of the consequences they will face if they do not follow God’s word.
To underscore the seriousness of his words, Samuel asks God to send a thunderstorm, although it was not the rainy season. The Jewish people got the message and asked Samuel to intercede on their behalf and to have the thunderstorm cease. The haftorah ends with a reassurance: “For God will not forsake His people for His great name’s sake; for God has sworn to make you a people for Himself.”
We hope these weekly Torah teaching bless you in your spiritual understanding and growth! As we are solely supported by your Tzedakah charity, please consider supporting this ministry for the continued spread of Truth by giving a love offering here.
Also if you have a need for prayer, please write us and let us know how to pray for you and we feel privileged to be intercessors in prayer for all our worldwide family!
Don’t forget to…
– GO to our YouTube channel and…
– LIKE the videos
– SUBSCRIBE to our channel
– SHARE our YouTube channel
– SUPPORT our Worldwide outreach
– FOLLOW us on Instagram
– FIND us on Facebook, as well as…
– SHINE THE LIGHT by spreading our website: https://www.calledoutbelievers.org with your family and friends on Facebook as well as your other Social Media platforms!
Torah Parashah teaching with video and audio and illustrations by Rabbi Isaac. © Assembly of Called-Out Believers. Use by Permission.
Website: www.CalledOutBelievers.org
5 Comments
Thank you so very much for your teaching which made our Torah portion even more vivit after reading it for me.
Shalom and blessings to you
Petra Gary
I REALLY appreciate your teachings they help to open up my understanding
Halellu Yah! Blessings to you!
Shalom Rabbi Isaac..I am a fairly new Torah believer in the Hebrew Roots movement after finding out I do have Hebrew Roots.. not just spiritually but physically. Your teachings are clear concise and to the point! Which is very refreshing! May Yah bless you keep you and make his face shine upon you!
Karen Z
Praise Yah! Thank you Karen for your comment… I am so happy the teachings are blessing you! If you are ever in the area we welcome you to visit us! Blessings and Ahavah in YHVH!