Korach betook himself etc. (16:1)
Korach wanted to take for himself greatness and rulership. Therefore, it was not appropriate. Leadership is only good when it is given by Shomayim (Heaven). Alone one cannot take it...
Reb Bunim of Parshischa – Der Torah Kvall
“In the morning Hashem will make known the one who is His own etc.” (Bamidbor 16:5)
As it says in Tehillim (63:7):
When I remember You upon my couch, in night watches I meditate upon You.
A person who rests at night on his bed like a Yid, and he remembers Hashem Yisborach, so too will his awakening in the morning will be as a Yid needs to awaken. And so will be his actions all day like it is befitting for a true Yid. It is hinted in the words “Boker viyodah Hashem ess asher lo - In the morning Hashem will make known the one who is His own”. Implying, from a person’s level in the morning we can know how his heart was with Hashem when he lay on his bed at night.
Sefer Divrei Shmuel - Slonim
That it was not from my heart. It is explained the Possuk “You have caused death to Klall Yisroel”. The principle is, there is a Tzaddik who can decree an event even though it has not been decreed above in Shomayim. However, with his Tefillos the Tzadik can make it happen. Then there is a Tzadik who attains from above what has been decreed above. In this situation it was accused on Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon Hakohein, that they with their Righteousness attained this with their Tefilos (prayers). On this it says you have caused death on the Nation of Hashem. To this answered Moshe Rabbeinu, “Ki lo miliebi - It is not from my heart”. As to say, this is decreed from Hakodosh Boruch Hu, and not us with our Tefilos.
When Reb Boruch of Mezhebuzh ZY”A and Reb Shlomo Karliner ZY”A were Mishadech with each other, the Chasunoh (wedding) of their children was to be held in Mezhebuzh. The Chasidim of Reb Shlomo Karliner prepared an honorable chariot in his honor. When Reb Boruch saw Reb Shlomo arriving in honors, he said, “Im li’ovrei ritzono kach, li’osie ritzono al achas kamoh vikamoh - if for those who disobey his word is such, to those who comply to his words more surely so”. The following proclamation went from ear to mouth, until it reached Reb Shlomo Karliner himself. As the Tzadikim sat at the Seudas Chasunoh, Reb Shlomo Karliner asked Reb Boruch, “Why is it that the Mechuton has called me an Ovrei Ritzono”? Reb Boruch laughed and answered favorably. “They have not understood, I am steadily Mispallel (pray) that no bad befall Klall Yisroel, but the Mechuton, Reb Shlomo, even if a decree has already been ordered on Klall Yisroel, he will be Mispallel to be Mivatel (annul) the Gezeiroh (decree).
The Chidushei Harim ZY”A expounds on the pitfall of Korach; Korach had Ruach HaKodesh and was from the carriers of The Aron HaBris. He was a Tzadik, Zohkein of 130 years, nevertheless due to one Kinoh (envy) on Elitzophon Ben Uziel he fell to the pits. One Kinoh took him out of the world. From this we must learn how frightening one small Kinoh can be. And we must learn from this to the positive, what a good character and good Niti’oh (sway) can bring good to a person.
Similar to this, Rav Yisroel Salanter ZY”A said, “It is easier for one to learn Gantz Shas (complete Talmud) than to change one Middoh.” We may be able to add to this, that sometimes one bad Midoh (trait) can stop one from learning Shas. And positively speaking, with one good Midoh and Hischazkus (strengthening), one can reach great Madreigos (heights). Such as R’ Eliezer Ben Horkinus, who was 28 years old and he went to learn at R’ Eliezer Hagodol in Yerusholayim and he learnt 2 Halochos each of the days of the week and reviewed them on Shabbos, until he developed and his Rebbi said on him, “Praiseworthy is Avrohom, Yitzchok and Yaakov who merited such offspring.” (See Pirke DiRebbi Eliezer 1:2)
And it is known many episodes of those who were elevated to their Madreigos with the Midoh of Hischazkus. I heard from Rav Schneur Kotler ZY”A who said on Rus, that it says in the Possuk (1:18) “Vateiroh ki Misametzes hie loleches - When she saw that she was determined to go with her”. Only by Klall Yisroel is the possibility of Misametzes - Determination. If we shall persevere, that is a Midoh of Klall Yisroel.
A Chossid of Rav Bunim of Parshischoh ZY”A came to him after Shavuos to receive a departing Brochoh. Amongst the words the Rebbe said to him, “You know that we will soon be blowing the Shofor.”
Sefer Siach Sarfei Kodesh
One Should be careful from Atzvus (unhappiness) until the extreme end. Even from worries of Aveiros. One should only brighten his eyes with stories of happiness. And on worries of sin, he should have thoughts of Teshuvah (repentance) through love of Hashem.
Sefer Darkei Tzedek – Sefer Ohz Tischazeik
A Yid, in whatever situation he finds himself, must be full of Simcha (joy) that he is privileged to be that merited, to be a Lizeicher Malchusoy (Mention of His reign) of Hashem. Meaning to be able to mention, that there is a creator of all the worlds.
Sefer Divrei Shmuel - Slonim
