Korah challenges Moshe's leadership and incites others to join him in his rebellion. Korah is a holy person, and according to the sages of Israel, he even possessed Divine inspiration. This means he was a person of high stature who decided to challenge Moshe and Aharon. Along with him come two people, Datan and Aviram, whose spiritual level is much lower. They join mainly because they are simply contentious individuals. A third group also joins Korah, Datan, and Aviram: 250 men from the tribe of Reuven, known as "incense offerers."
What do all these people want? Here, we learn the dynamics of the dispute. A person of Korah's high level cannot directly say, "I want to replace Moshe," as it would be beneath his dignity to say such a thing. On the other hand, small people, such as petty schemers like Datan and Aviram, cannot influence the public. The third group of 250 men are good people with spiritual aspirations, as they want to offer incense in the Holy of Holies. Still, they would only dare to demand something appropriate for their level.
So what do they do? They combine forces! "Korah took, and Datan and Aviram and two hundred and fifty men" – to incite a rebellion, what's needed is a holy person who can cynically use petty schemers to influence the masses. But the rebellion still requires a legitimate claim. How is it possible that after the revelation at Mount Sinai, where it was clear that the Holy One, blessed be He, chose Moshe, people from Israel still disputed him?
The entire dispute between Korah and his assembly occurred right after the breaking of the Tablets and before the second Tablets were given. Therefore, they argued: "Indeed, the Holy One, blessed be He, sent you (Moshe) and Aharon. But both of you – you (Moshe) who broke the Tablets and Aharon who made the Golden Calf – through these actions, you 'disqualified' yourselves, and therefore a new leadership needs to be established."
The whole story of Korah's rebellion teaches us that we should not be quick to disqualify our leaders based on something that appears to be a mistake. Sometimes, even things that appear to be mistakes fulfill the Divine Will.
