With this in mind, let us turn to what the Arizal revealed regarding the neshamah of Korach, for in understanding his root, we may come to understand his fall, and perhaps draw from it a lesson for ourselves.
The Shelah HaKadosh cites from the Arizal that Korach was a gilgul of Kayin. Kayin reincarnated three times, corresponding to his nefesh, ruach, and neshamah: in the Egyptian whom Moshe slew, in Yisro the father-in-law of Moshe, and finally, in Korach. Moshe Rabbeinu, on the other hand, was a gilgul of Hevel, who was killed by Kayin. The Arizal reveals how the soul of Hevel exacted retribution three times: first, by striking the Mitzri. The words וַיַּךְ - 'he struck', together with הַמִּצְרִי, have the gematria of הֶבֶל and מֹשֶׁה respectively.
