Korax (Numbers 16:1 – 18:32)

Korax is the name of the anti-hero of the beginning of the portion, a Levite who accuses Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the rest of the people.

The portion begins with Korax and 250 other important Israelites gathering and accusing Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the rest of the people, claiming that all the Israelites are holy and Moses and Aaron's special positions before God are not legitimate.

Moses then tells Korax and his people to take censers and bring incense before God, and that Aaron and himself will do the same. Moses tries to convince Korax to withdraw from his complaint, but fails, and specifically asks God not to pay attention to their offerings, because he did no wrong to any of them.

The next morning, Korax and his followers come to the Tent of Meeting with their censors. God wishes to smite all the Israelites, but Moses convinces him to punish only those who have sinned. He tells all the Israelites to stay away from the sinners, so as not to be harmed. Moses announces that if the sinners will be punished in an unnatural way, and the earth will open up its mouth and swallow them up – it shall be a sign to the people of Moses' righteousness, doing only what he is told to do by God.

The earth then swallows Korax and his followers alive, as well as their homes, families, and property. The censors in which the rebels brought incense are then made into hammered plates to cover the altar, as a reminder to the Israelites that only the sons of Aaron are allowed to bring offerings before God.

The next day, the entire congregation rebelled against Moses and Aaron, blaming them for the many deaths. God then announces that he will destroy the people. Moses and Aaron beg him not to, and Moses commands Aaron to bring incense to the altar immediately in order to make atonement for them. Aaron manages to stop the plague which had already started, killing over fourteen thousand people.

God then commands Aaron and his sons, for all generations, to be in charge of the Temple, and orders different gifts to be given to the priests and Levites in return for their service.