This week's Torah portion, Korach, tells of a rebellion against Moshe and Aharon's leadership. Korach championed this revolution. He persuaded 250 people in leadership positions to join him. The Parshah begins by telling us that "Korach the son of Yitzhar, the son of Kehos, the son of Levi took (himself to one side), together with Doson and Avirom the sons of Eliov, and On the son of Peles, who were descendants of Reuvain." Rashi first cites "Korach ... took" and makes an introductory statement. He says, "This portion is beautifully expounded on in the Midrash of Rabbi Tanchumah." This alone is most unusual for Rashi.
He then cites the identical words from the verse and gives us the Midrashic explanation he alluded to. "He took himself to one side to exclude himself from the congregation to contest the Kehunah. Onkelos means this when he translates it, 'and he separated himself.' He separated himself from the congregation to continue in a dispute. Similarly, 'Why does your heart take you away?' means that your heart removes you, to isolate you from others." He then offers a second explanation, according to Peshat. "Another explanation is that he attracted the heads of the Sanhedrin among them with his words. Similarly 'Take Aharon (with words);' 'Take words with you.'"
