Rashi, commenting to the opening verse of Parashat Korah, explains the connection between this Parasha and the immediately preceding section – the final verses of Parashat Shelah, which introduce the Misva of Sisit. Korah led a brazen uprising against Moshe and Aharon, and Rashi writes that when he and his followers confronted and challenged Moshe, they appeared before him wearing Tallitot which were colored entirely with Techelet (a type of blue dye). The Torah commands coloring one Sisit string on each of the four corners of the Tallit with Techelet, and Korah and his cohorts asked Moshe whether their Tallitot – which were entirely colored Techelet – required a Techelet thread. Moshe responded that Halacha draws no distinction in this regard, and a Techelet thread is needed even if the garment is dyed entirely in Techelet. Korach and his men then began ridiculing Moshe, arguing that if a single Techelet thread suffices for a white garment, then a garment that is entirely colored Techelet certainly does not require a Techelet thread.This account might explain not only the connection between the end of Parashat Shelah and Parashat Korah, but also the entire background to Korah’s grave mistake.In presenting the Misva of Sisit, the Torah states, “Ve’lo Taturu Ahareh Lebabchem Ve’ahareh Enechem” – “so that you shall not stray after your heart and your eyes” (Bamidbar 15:39). The purpose of the Misva of Sisit is to help us avoid “straying.” Notably, the Torah mentions the heart before the eyes in this verse – “after your heart and your eyes.” Intuitively, we would have thought that the process of “straying” begins with our eyes, as we see something enticing, which our hearts then desire. In truth, however, it’s just the opposite. Our hearts, our thoughts, our attitudes and our biases, profoundly affect our perception. Two people can see the same thing and react in two polar opposite ways, because each looks through a different lens, from a different perspective. We wear Sisit so that we will not be led astray by what our hearts cause our eyes to see, by how our minds perceive things. Indeed, the Kabbalists explain that the word “Sisit” stems from the word that means “glance” (“Le’hasitz,” as in the verse, “Mesitz Min Ha’harakim” – Shir Hashirim 2:9), because this Misva helps us to “see” clearly, to perceive things the right way, so that we are not led astray. One of the most dramatic examples of somebody being misled by what his heart and eyes saw is Korach. Rashi (16:7) cites the Midrash as teaching that Korach’s “eye” led him astray, to foolishly launch this uprising against Moshe Rabbenu. He saw through Ru’ah Ha’kodesh (a level of prophetic vision) that he would have descendants who would rise to prominence, such as the prophet Shemuel. He thus concluded that he should demand the honor and prestige of the high priesthood. Remarkably, and tragically, Korah saw ahead many generations – but he failed to see the situation right in front of him, the obvious reality that G-d had chosen Aharon to serve as Kohen Gadol. Korah saw what he wanted to see – that he and his progeny were destined for greatness, and that he must therefore vie for the position of Kohen Gadol. His heart led his eyes to see that he deserved this exalted post – and he was thus led astray, resulting in his tragic downfall.We might explain that since Korah abused the Misva of Sisit, utilizing it to ridicule Moshe, he forfeited this Misva’s spiritual benefits. The Sisit strings are meant to protect us from the lures of what our hearts and eyes see – but they did not do this for Korah, because he misused them as part of his effort to undermine the authority of Moshe Rabbenu. This resembles the Gemara’s teaching (Berachot 62b) that David Ha’melech was punished for cutting Shaul’s garment (Shemuel I 24:5). David showed disrespect to a garment, and so later in life, as an elderly man, he was unable to warm himself with garments (Melachim I 1:1). As he disrespected a garment, he lost the benefits that garments normally offer. By the same token, Korah lost the precious benefits of the Misva of Sisit the moment he used Sisit to ridicule Moshe.In the merit of our observance of this precious Misva, may we be worthy of being protected from misperceptions, so we will always see things clearly and make the right decisions each day of our lives.
