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How could Korach, a great and wise person, convince himself to rebel against Moshe's clear divine mandate? The power of negiyus (personal bias) can make even great people completely convinced of falsehood when driven by personal interests. Korach's rebellion stemmed from Levi's original positive trait - heightened sensitivity to kedushah - but when taken to the extreme of claiming all Jews are equally holy, this sensitivity became destructive.
Rabbi Yeshaya Greenberg ZT"L begins by examining Rashi (רש"י)'s explanation of Korach's rebellion, noting that while Korach was truly bothered by Elitzafan ben Uziel being appointed as leader of Bnei Kehas (since Korach felt he, as the son of Yitzhar who was second after Amram, deserved the position), he publicly argued about the kehunah gedolah instead. Korach claimed "kol ha'edah kulam kedoshim" - the entire congregation is holy - arguing that anyone could serve as kohen gadol, not just Aharon. This public argument was strategic because arguing for his own position wouldn't gain popular support, but arguing that everyone was equally worthy would appeal to the masses. The shiur explores the profound question of how Korach, described as a great and wise person, could convince himself to rebel against Moshe's clear divine mandate. Rabbi Yeshaya Greenberg ZT"L explains that Korach must have genuinely convinced himself he was right - otherwise he couldn't have argued so persuasively or convinced so many great people to join him. This demonstrates the terrifying power of negiyus (personal bias) - how even great people can become completely convinced of falsehood when driven by personal interests.
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Parshas Korach - Bamidbar 16:1
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