Leaders who lift

Korach’s rebellion in this week’s Torah portion raises a big question: What was he thinking? Korach wasn’t some random troublemaker; he was smart, respected, and from a prominent family. So how did he think he could turn the Jewish people against Moses, especially when G-d Himself had already confirmed Moses as the leader forever?

Turns out, Korach didn’t deny Moses’s leadership. He wasn’t trying to overthrow everything. Instead, he believed he could change one specific decision through prayer: the appointment of the High Priest. Korach saw Moses pray to save the Jewish people after the sin of the Golden Calf and the spies, and he thought, “If Moses can do it, so can I.”

That’s where Korach went wrong. He believed in Moses, but he also believed in his own vision a little too much. Korach saw that great leaders like the prophet Samuel would descend from him. He misread that as a sign he was destined for greatness right then and there..

Rashi, one of the great commentators, puts it bluntly: “Korach was clever, so what led him to such folly?” His downfall wasn’t a lack of faith, it was his ego. He let his ambition cloud his judgment, convincing himself that his personal desires aligned perfectly with G-d’s plan.

Moses, for his part, might have had his own moments of humility and self-doubt. Maybe he wondered, “What if Korach sees something I don’t? What if he’s right?” But when it came to Aaron being chosen as the High Priest, Moses had no doubts. He had seen it clearly; it wasn’t up for debate.

This wasn’t arrogance on Moses’s part, it was trust. He wasn’t leading on his own terms, he was following G-d’s instructions. That clarity gave him the strength to stand firm, even when Korach and his followers were so sure of themselves.

The Zohar, the foundational text of Jewish mysticism, says that in every generation there’s someone like Moses—a leader who guides the people. Even when people oppose that leader, deep down, they still believe in him. Their faith might be buried under layers of pride, fear, or misunderstanding, but it’s there.

And it’s the leader’s job to bring that hidden faith to the surface; to “shepherd faith” by helping people uncover their belief and use it to guide their lives.

This story is a reminder that ambition and confidence are good—up to a point. Korach’s problem wasn’t that he wanted to do great things. It was that he let his ambition overshadow his ability to see the bigger picture.

On the flip side, Moses teaches us the importance of clarity and humility in leadership. Being a leader, whether it’s in your family, your workplace, or your community, means knowing when to stand firm and when to listen.

And then there’s the lesson about faith. Everyone has it, even if it’s hidden. Sometimes we need a little help to find it, whether it’s through a friend, a mentor, or a moment of reflection.

This idea of a leader “shepherding faith” isn’t just a concept from the Torah—it’s something the Rebbe exemplified in our time. He believed in the inherent goodness and potential of every individual, even those who doubted themselves—or him. Like Moses, the Rebbe had an unshakable clarity of vision. He saw the divine spark in every person and dedicated his life to helping people see it too.

For the Rebbe, leadership wasn’t about power or position. It was about service, bringing out the best in others and guiding them to fulfill their unique role in making the world a better place. He often emphasized that each of us has the ability to bring hidden faith into the open, starting with small acts of kindness.

Korach’s story reminds us of what can go wrong when ambition overtakes humility. But it also highlights what can go right when leaders, like Moses and the Rebbe, focus on lifting others up. As we mark the Rebbe’s yahrtzeit this Sunday, let’s commit to carrying forward his vision by seeing the good in others, nurturing faith, and building a world where unity and purpose shine brightly. May we merit the ultimate redemption he dreamed of, speedily in our days.