A Tzadik Benefits From Having Antagonists
Rav Menachem Mendel of Rimanov zy”a (Sefer Menachem Tzion) explains why the story of Korach is placed next to the Parshah of the 24 matanos (gifts) given to kohanim (which are listed at the end of Parshas Korach) by saying that this is meant to teach us that not only can those who fight against tzadik not harm him, they even provide benefit for him. We see this from the fact that not only couldn’t Korach and his followers hurt Aharon, they also caused him to receive more matnas kehuna.
Machlokes Makes a “Hole in the Wallet”:
It is related that a dispute once broke out regarding whom to appoint as shochet of the city of Radin. The Chofetz Chaim zt”l called for a gathering of all the residents and he rebuked them for engaging in discord. He told them, “Someone who engages in machlokes is comparable to a wallet that is full of coins but has a small hole in it. Of course, all the coins will end up falling through the little hole and getting lost. So too, even if a person possesses lots of Torah and mitzvos, if he also is involved with machlokes, it will all fall out through this little hole and he will be left with nothing.”
Constant Complaints Against a Tzadik:
The pasuk in Tehillin (106:16) states: “They angered Moshe in the camp, Aharon, the holy man of Hashem.” The Ropshitzer Rebbe zy”a explains that this is the way of those who engage in machlokes. Whatever a tzadik does, they will find fault in him. If he separates himself from the public and learns alone day and night, they will say that “the Rebbe sits by himself all day and does nothing for the people.” If he is involved with the public and tries to take care of everyone’s needs, they will say that “he is out and about all day. When does he learn or serve Hashem?” Accordingly, the pasuk is saying that they complained about Moshe “in the camp”, meaning that they found fault in the fact that he was not amongst the people enough. And they complained about Aharon “the holy one of Hashem”, meaning they found fault in him for interacting with people and trying to increase peace and personal relationships by saying that he should be spending more time secluded with his avodas Hashem.
Reprinted from this week’s email of “The Way of Emunah: Collected Thoughts from Rabbi Meir Isamar Rosenbaum.
