There is this horrible incident described in this week’s parsha when Korach and his followers complain to Moshe about his leadership. They are upset (to put it lightly) about Moshe’s power, and they claim that power and leadership should be distributed more evenly, because they, too, are holy. There is a lot to be learned here about leadership styles, about confronting issues we don’t like, about how we protest, and about power. But none of it goes down particularly well (also, putting it lightly), and it creates a divide amongst the people.
And despite the fact that Moshe was the one at whom the attacks were directed, I think there was one big mistake he made in navigating their complaints. After the protest described at the beginning of the parsha, the Torah tells us, “Moshe sent for Datan and Aviram [two of Korach’s followers], sons of Eliav, but they said, “we will not come” (Bemidbar 16:12). Understandably, Moshe isn’t pleased with their response, and it only increases his frustration and anger about the entire rebellion. He turns them over to God, and it doesn’t end well for Korach and his followers.
Whenever there are these tough moments in the Torah, I often ask myself where in the story there was an opportunity for it to happen differently. When could a different decision have been made, affecting the outcome? And often, I think that those decisions are in the hands of those in power. Moshe sent for Datan and Aviram, but he didn’t go to them. The Hasidic rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa asks why Moshe wasn’t able to make peace happen amongst the Israelites, after the protest? He teaches that Moshe didn’t reach out to Datan and Aviram directly. He didn’t go over to them, talking directly to them trying to calm them and the situation. Instead, he stayed in his tent and he sent messengers to them. This kept them from the path to peace.
I imagine that Moshe thought he was reaching out to them by sending for them. But he could’ve also asked himself, “how can I do this in a way that allows them to feel heard?” There’s a valuable lesson here not just for leaders, but for any of us that find ourselves on the other side of an issue from someone else. If we’re trying to work towards peace in relationships or community, how much of a difference can it make if we decide to approach the other with the intent to pave the road to peace? So often we keep our distance out of anger, or hurt, or pride. I imagine Moshe felt all of those things. But if we are able to move through those emotions, the act of approaching the other changes the entire tenor of the conversation. It demonstrates humility, it demonstrates a desire to be in the conversation, and it demonstrates a commitment to walk the path to peace, together.
