Leadership Is Not Taken
"Korach took" (Numbers 16:1). Rashi explains: "He took himself to one side..." Korach was blessed with many qualities distinguished lineage, wealthy, and wise. It is possible that he was worthy of leadership in Israel. However, he did not wait for leadership to be given to him; he wanted to seize it himself and these are things a person cannot simply come and take.
(Rabbi Bunim of Peshischa)
Internal Conflict
The Mishnah states (Avot 5:17): "Which is a dispute not for the sake of Heaven? The dispute of Korach and all his congre-gation." It does not say "Korach and Mo-ses," because even within Korach's own camp there was conflict they fought among themselves as well, each demand-ing honor for himself.
(Ya'arot Devash)
Quickly Gathered
"Korach assembled all the congregation against them" (Numbers 16:19). For mat-ters of a mitzvah, it is not easy to gather the entire public, yet when it comes to conflict, immediately "all the congrega-tion" assembles.
(Mateh Aharon)
Lineage But Nothing More
The Torah lists and details the lineage of Korach and his followers son of this one, grandson of that one because gen-erally this is the only "merit" possessed by quarrel-makers, through which they dare to demand honors and prestigious positions for themselves.
(the Seer of Lublin)
