share torah logo

Numbers 16:11 - Rebelling against Aharon's priesthood?

Numbers 16:11 - במדבר 16:11

Hebrew Text

לָכֵן אַתָּה וְכָל־עֲדָתְךָ הַנֹּעָדִים עַל־יְהוָה וְאַהֲרֹן מַה־הוּא כִּי תלונו [תַלִּינוּ] עָלָיו׃

English Translation

For which cause both thou and all thy company who are gathered together are against the Lord: and what is Aharon, that you murmur against him?

Transliteration

Lakhen atah ve-khol-adatekha ha-no'adim al-Adonai ve-Aharon mah-hu ki talinu alav.

Hebrew Leining Text

לָכֵ֗ן אַתָּה֙ וְכׇל־עֲדָ֣תְךָ֔ הַנֹּעָדִ֖ים עַל־יְהֹוָ֑ה וְאַהֲרֹ֣ן מַה־ה֔וּא כִּ֥י <span class="mam-kq"><span class="mam-kq-k">(תלונו)</span> <span class="mam-kq-q">[תַלִּ֖ינוּ]</span></span> עָלָֽיו׃
לָכֵ֗ן אַתָּה֙ וְכׇל־עֲדָ֣תְךָ֔ הַנֹּעָדִ֖ים עַל־יְהֹוָ֑ה וְאַהֲרֹ֣ן מַה־ה֔וּא כִּ֥י (תלונו) [תַלִּ֖ינוּ] עָלָֽיו׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Numbers 16:11) is part of the narrative of Korach's rebellion against Moshe and Aharon. Korach, along with Datan, Aviram, and 250 leaders of the congregation, challenged the leadership of Moshe and the priesthood of Aharon. Moshe responds by emphasizing that their rebellion is not merely against human leaders but against Hashem Himself.

Key Themes and Interpretation

  • Rebellion Against Divine Authority: Rashi explains that Moshe's words, "you are gathered together against Hashem," highlight that any challenge to divinely appointed leadership is ultimately a challenge to Hashem's authority. The Sifrei (a halachic Midrash) similarly states that rejecting Moshe and Aharon is tantamount to rejecting the Torah itself.
  • Aharon's Role: The phrase "וְאַהֲרֹן מַה־הוּא" ("and what is Aharon") is interpreted by the Ramban (Nachmanides) as Moshe emphasizing that Aharon did not seek the priesthood for himself—it was granted by Hashem. Thus, their complaints against Aharon were baseless and reflected a deeper spiritual failing.
  • The Danger of Disunity: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 110a) teaches that Korach's dispute was not for the sake of Heaven and serves as a warning against factionalism. The Midrash Tanchuma adds that such conflicts lead to destruction, as seen in Korach's eventual punishment.

Grammatical and Linguistic Insights

The word "תַלִּינוּ" ("you murmur") is a plural form, indicating collective responsibility. Ibn Ezra notes that this verb often appears in contexts of unjustified complaints, as seen earlier with Bnei Yisrael in the wilderness. The phrasing underscores that the entire group shared in the sin of rebellion.

Practical Lessons

  • Respect for Leadership: The Or HaChaim (R' Chaim ibn Attar) teaches that this episode reinforces the importance of accepting divinely chosen leaders with humility, as their authority stems from Hashem.
  • Guarding Against Envy: The Kli Yakar (R' Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz) suggests that Korach's rebellion stemmed from envy, a trait the Torah warns against in Pirkei Avot (4:21).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 16:11 mean?
A: In Numbers 16:11, Moshe (Moses) responds to Korach and his followers who were rebelling against the leadership of Moshe and Aharon (Aaron). Moshe explains that their complaint is not truly against Aharon, but against Hashem (God) Himself, since Aharon's position as Kohen Gadol (High Priest) was divinely appointed. Rashi clarifies that Moshe was pointing out the foolishness of their rebellion, as they were ultimately challenging Hashem's authority.
Q: Why is Korach's rebellion important in the Torah?
A: Korach's rebellion is a key lesson about the dangers of jealousy, strife, and challenging divinely appointed leadership. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 110a) teaches that this incident serves as a warning against disputes that are not for the sake of Heaven. The rebellion resulted in severe consequences, showing how seriously Hashem views unity and proper respect for Torah leadership.
Q: What can we learn from Moshe's response in Numbers 16:11?
A: Moshe's response teaches us to recognize the root of conflicts—often, disputes framed as personal grievances are really challenges to divine authority. The Rambam (Maimonides) explains in Hilchos De'os that one should avoid machlokes (disputes) and seek peace. Moshe also defends Aharon, showing the importance of standing up for others when they are unjustly criticized.
Q: How does this verse apply to disputes in Jewish communities today?
A: This verse reminds us that disagreements must be handled with humility and respect for Torah authority. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 18:20) compares Korach's rebellion to later conflicts in Jewish history, warning against causing division. Today, Orthodox communities emphasize resolving disputes through rabbinic guidance and avoiding public discord, as taught in Pirkei Avos (Ethics of the Fathers 5:17).
Q: Why does Moshe say the rebellion is 'against Hashem'?
A: Moshe explains that since Aharon's role as Kohen Gadol was chosen by Hashem, opposing him was effectively opposing Hashem's will. Rashi notes that this principle applies to all Torah leadership—when the Sanhedrin or rabbinic authorities rule according to Torah law, their decisions carry divine authority. The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 25b) derives from this that we must respect Torah scholars as representatives of Hashem's wisdom.