In this week’s parashah, we read about Korach’s rebellion—a tale of rebellion often reduced to the arrogance of a single man. But we find that when God learns of Korach’s challenge to Moses’ and Aaron’s authority, Divine wrath is not reserved for Korach alone, but for the entire Israelite community. “Stand back from this community, that I may annihilate them in an instant” (Numbers 16:21).
Though Moses and Aaron quickly excuse the people to deal with Korach, God’s threat to annihilate Israel reminds us of the importance of demonstrating our fidelity to our faith and its precepts. Because the Israelites remained silent in the face of rebellion, they nearly perished. By failing to publicly stand by Moses and Aaron as Korach threatened their leadership, they provided Korach with the opening he needed to stage his insurgence.
Judaism is a faith not only of belief, but of visible, public responsibility. Our shabbatot and our festivals, our mezuzot, our open acts of tzedakah, these are not for private reassurance, but for public witness. The world should know who we are by how we live.
Today, that challenge remains. We are commanded, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). That means standing visibly for Am Yisrael—our fellow Jews in Israel and around the world—as antisemitism reawakens in new and familiar forms. Even when it seems unpopular, even when it feels inconvenient, we must strive to support our fellow Jews around the world.
But the Torah asks us to share our love with more than our fellow Jews. “You shall love the stranger as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 19:34). As our nation shamefully encourages us to treat the undocumented individuals and families with cruelty, we are obligated to muster more than quiet sympathy.
Feeling love is not enough. We must show it—in our speech, in our giving, in our advocacy. Now is the time for us to make our love known: for our people, and for the stranger. That is how we sanctify God’s name—not in thought, but in action.