This week, we read the Torah portion of Korach. This Parshah tells us of the rebellion against Aharon being the Kohen Gadol. This rebellion was led by Korach, who had somehow managed to gather 250 leaders of the Jews on his side. In Rashi's comments on the opening verse, he cites the words from the verse "Korach ... took." He writes, "This portion is beautifully explained in the Midrash of Rabbi Tanchumah. However, he does not tell us what the beautiful explanations are. He then cites the exact words again, telling us the Midrash's beautiful explanation. Rashi explains that he removed himself from the congregation. He then offers a second explanation, according to Peshat rather than Midrash. He says that Korach managed to attract the heads of the Sanhedrin and win them over to his side.
Rashi always explains Peshat. Why does he begin by telling us how beautifully this is expounded in the Midrash? He waits until later in a different set of comments to detail the explanation in Peshat! Although Rashi's main point is to explain Peshat to a beginning student, his comments also contain the "wine of Torah," meaning the mysteries of Torah. According to Peshat, the story of Korach is unfortunate; it involves a mutiny against Moshe Rabbeinu! However, if we look at it from the perspective of the mysteries of the Torah, Korach was on an extremely high level; it is indeed a lofty story! Korach wanted to be a Kohen Gadol!
This is what Rashi is alluding to with his explanation. Even before explaining Peshat, he tells us this is expounded (not just well, but) beautifully in the Midrash. The Midrash brings out the inner meaning of what took place. Rashi writes that "he took himself." He revealed the essence of his being, his soul. Rashi further says that "he took himself to one side." Rashi says he did this to "separate himself from the congregation." He elevated himself above everyone else in the same manner that the Kohen Gadol is elevated above the rest of the Jews.
