The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek in memory of Kenneth Gordon.
Korach
Numbers 16:1-18:32
Many of the narratives that we find in the Torah are illuminated by the Sages in the Talmud and midrash. For our Torah portion, these sources give us backstories that provide context for gaping holes in the account that we find in the text. One such story involves the antagonist On Ben Pelet and his heroic wife.
The parashah begins with a list of the leaders of the rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Korach, Dathan, Abiram and On are all mentioned as the leaders of the mutiny. As one follows the story, we read about the supernatural event of the earth swallowing Korach, Dathan and Abiram, yet there is no mention of On anywhere in the text beyond his initial introduction.
The Talmud (Sanhedrin 109b) relates the following:
Rav said, On Ben Pelet was saved by his wife. She said to him, “What difference does this [rebellion] make to you? If one becomes the master, you are going to be the student, and if the other becomes the master, you are going to be his student.” (That is, if Korach wins the fight and becomes the leader of the Israelites, you are still going to be subservient to him.)
He responded to her, “What can I do? I was sitting with them when they were plotting, and I took an oath that I would join them.”
She said to him, “I know that the entire congregation is holy, for it says in scripture, ‘for the entire congregation is holy.’ Sit, and I will save you.” She made him drink wine to the point that he was intoxicated and fell asleep inside the tent. She sat at the entrance of the tent and uncovered her hair. Anyone who came and saw her turned back, therefore preventing them from dragging him to the showdown with Moses. Meanwhile, the others were swallowed up by the ground.
Rashi, the foremost medieval commentator on the Talmud, explains that On’s wife points out everyone in the congregation is holy and would therefore not look upon her if she is not dressed modestly. That includes having her hair uncovered. Her plan succeeded and she saved her husband.
The Talmud (Sanhedrin 110a) goes on to further extol the character of On’s wife with the following statement:
“This is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The wisdom of women builds her house’ (Proverbs 14:1); this refers to the wife of On, son of Pelet.” Her wisdom was evident in her understanding of the nuance in the rebellion that was forming. Korach and his assembly were looking for power. They had claimed that the entire nation was holy and, therefore, it was inappropriate for Moses and Aaron to lord themselves over the congregation. By emphasizing the argument that they were all holy, On’s wife knew that they would have to walk the walk. She knew that they would not dare enter the tent if they would expose themselves to a woman who was not dressed appropriately. Her plan worked perfectly.
In the story of the creation of Eve, God states, “It is not good for man to be alone, I will make him an ezer kenegdo. (Genesis 2:18) “Ezer is “helper,” and “kenegdo” means “opposing him.” What God intended in the formation of a wife for Adam was someone who would be a partner, but not a passive partner. The Talmud says that if Adam were meritorious, she would be a helper, but if not, then she would oppose him. (Yevamot 33a) A true partner in life is someone who knows how to support the good that one aspires to achieve, and also knows how to stand in opposition to negative ambitions.
The antithesis of On’s wife is the wife of Korach. The Talmud’s interpretation of the same verse in Proverbs (14:1) on the second phrase makes that clear: “And foolishness destroys with their hands.” That is the wife of Korach. (Sanhedrin 110a) Korach’s wife should have realized the foolishness of his rebellion. God himself had chosen both Moses and Aaron for their respective roles. There was no personal power grab on their parts. Instead of standing in opposition to her husband, she encouraged him.
The parashah and its supporting commentaries have a lot to teach us about what a proper relationship with a spouse should be. A spouse should be respected, cherished and supported. At the same time, they should be able to redirect a spouse who is veering off course.