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How can we distinguish genuine disputes from power grabs when everyone claims noble motives? The Torah (תורה) reveals that Korach's faction first separated themselves before raising issues with Moshe's leadership. True machloket l'shem shamayim requires discussing issues first, not marshaling political support to justify predetermined conclusions.
Rabbi Zweig explores the fundamental question of how to distinguish between machloket l'shem shamayim (dispute for the sake of heaven) and machloket shelo l'shem shamayim (dispute not for the sake of heaven), given that everyone involved in conflicts believes their motives are pure. The Mishna in Avos states that disputes for the sake of heaven endure while those not for heaven's sake do not, but this seems to offer no practical guidance since all parties typically convince themselves they are acting nobly. The key insight emerges from analyzing the Torah (תורה)'s narrative structure in describing Korach's rebellion. The Torah begins with "Vayikach Korach" - Korach separated himself - before describing any issues or complaints. According to Rashi (רש"י), Korach first created a separate faction, withdrew from communal resources (using his great wealth to finance an independent group), and only afterwards raised objections about Moshe's leadership and alleged nepotism in appointing Aharon as high priest.
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Parshas Korach 16:1-3
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Why does the Torah separate Avrohom's eulogy for Sarah from his crying for her? The shiur shows that Sarah required a public eulogy focused on the communal loss of a leader, not Avrohom's private grief. This teaches that we must view Jewish tragedies through a national lens first, seeing attacks on Am Yisrael as collective losses that dwarf personal concerns.
