Depart from the Tents of These Wicked Men
He spoke to the congregation, saying, "Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men..." The Ohr Hachaim explains the point of this possuk. Klal Yisroel was still in trouble, they had not disassociated themselves from Korach and his congregation, and they were also somewhat deserving of punishment. Hashem had accepted Moshe’s tefilla and they would not be destroyed. But that was a kindness from Hashem and Moshe wished that they be saved through their own efforts and work.
Moshe wanted them to do teshuva while they still could, and he told them that they should keep far away from them, because of their wickedness. Their keeping away should be an expression of disassociation from them and their beliefs. They should internalize the idea that Korach and his people were wicked, and believe that Hashem would destroy them. In this merit, they would be saved and shown favor from Hashem.
Hashem’s compassion and pity are limitless, but we should not rely on them. We should attempt to do our own part in saving ourselves.
