The Plague Started

The plague started before awareness gave way to authenticity. Being oblivious was excusable for a while. There was so much disruption; so many distractions and so much discord. Nothing seemed normal. People felt lost. But plagues spread when we are defiant and ego-centric. And the plague spread quickly.

This was the story of Parshat Korach, a plague that occurred in a time of upheaval.

Before the plague began, there was the rebellion of Korach and his men. Elite families of the Levite tribe challenged the religious order. Oddly, those same Levites benefitted from these systemic advantages. Why were they not satisfied with their privilege? They were already God’s anointed.

Disregarding process and craving power, tribal divisions became rivalries. As a result, faith in leadership was shaken. Governance was broken.

And this is a story for our time as well.

Moses was faithful and resolute. At God’s instruction Moses ordered the rebels “bring your fire-pans and incense tomorrow.” In the morning, the insurgents failed the test. God sent a miracle. The earth swallowed them up alive, they and their families, 250 in all.

After Korach and his men were lost, some were horrorstruck and others were defiant. Miracles were supposed to rescue us. Miracles were not to destroy us! 250 people lost in a gaping hole. Men and women with their children consumed alive. How could this be? The hole had barely closed up before a plague began.

With a fire-pan and incense, Aaron ran through the crowds to stop the plague. This time fourteen thousand and seven hundred died. This plague killed quickly and effortlessly.

Some victims of the plague were those who held on to the acrimony fueled by Korach’s rebellion. They had not learned the lessons of how to respectfully enter into dialogue. Their rebellion was feckless. Many innocents died along with the malcontents. The implacable ones brought blameless ones down into the ground with them.

Plagues punished indiscriminately. They spread wantonly. They spread through our own recklessness. They spread due to faithlessness.

We also have been self-important, vainglorious. The Covid-19 plague has chastened some of us. Torah reminds us that the greatest leader, Moses, was the humblest of men. Humility is essential to successful leadership, especially in a time of plague. Such is the leadership we need today. Torah reminds us that a leader is responsible to the people. When Moses descended Sinai after receiving the tablets in a second trip, his face shined brightly. He veiled himself so as not to harm others. Humility keeps masks on faces.

There are many kinds of plagues. Some plagues are illnesses. Some plagues are societal. Some plagues began long ago. Some plagues are latent.  All are toxic. Occasionally a plague becomes active, catching us unprepared. But we’ve suffered plagues before. Can we really claim lack of awareness to any plague? At least we should remember to be humble and responsible.

Now we are left wondering, what fire-pan of incense will stop this plague? What leadership will run among the people in rescue? Will we learn the lessons before the next plague starts? To contain a plague requires obedience and humility.

Rabbi Evan Krame