ויקמו לפני משה ואנשים מבני ישראל חמשים ומאתים נשיאי עדה קראי מועד אנשי שם
They arose before Moshe with men of Bnai Yisroel, two hundred and fifty of them, princes of the assembly, those summoned for meeting, men of renown. Rashi asks: But Korach who was a clever person, what is it that he saw which led him to this folly? How come the same question is not asked about the two hundred and fifty men who joined with Korach? After all the Torah describes them as princes of the assembly. They were also wise and clever men. Why did they join in this rebellion against Moshe? This took place right after the incident with the Meraglim. Bnai Yisroel were told that they would all perish in the desert. They had no hope for anything. They had nothing to lose by joining with Korach. Korach on the other hand was a Levi. Levi was to enter Eretz Yisroel. There was a future ahead. Korach had plenty to lose. So Rashi asks about Korach - he was a clever person - why did he rebel? (Chasam Sofer)
