Insidious Influences
Adapted by Channie Koplowitz Stein
Korach, a great and charismatic leader of Shevet Levi, challenged the authority of Moshe Rabbenu and Aharon in their leadership roles of Bnei Yisroel, alleging that it was Moshe Rabbenu and Aharon who took too much honor for themselves, and refused to accept their appointment as Hashem's directive. Korach gathered around him Dothon and Aviram and 250 men from the Tribe of Reuven. Their refusal to accept Hashem's choice even after multiple miraculous proofs condemned them to tragic deaths.
How was it that 250 men from the Tribe of Reuven aligned themselves with Korach? By examining the structure of the Israelite camp, we can get an understanding of the dynamics in play.
As the nation camped in the desert, they formed a square around the Mishkan. Three tribes were on each side while the Tribe of Levi was further divided according to their families, their sub tribes. Korach was the family of Kehat whose neighbor on that side was Reuven. From here we see the influence a neighbor can have on an individual and on a family. It is on this passage that our Sages declared, "Woe to a rasha/evil person, and woe to his neighbor."
For the first test that Hashem designated Aharon for the priesthood, Moshe Rabbenu instructed Korach and all the rebels to bring their fire pans with incense before Hashem. Hashem would prove whom He had chosen. When Hashem sent the fire, He wanted to destroy the entire nation who seemed to be waiting, unsure of whom to join. As Moshe Rabbenu does regularly, he davened to Hashem that He not destroy the innocent with the guilty.
It is in this context that Hashem tells Moshe Rabbenu to separate himself from Korach and from all that is his, a directive then given to all Bnei Yisroel. Then the earth "opens its mouth," swallows Korach, Dothon and Aviram and all their possessions. Then the earth "closed its mouth" again, leaving no trace of them or anything belonging to them. Finally, the 250 men who aligned themselves with Korach were consumed by fire.
Besides the physical consideration not to fall into the abyss, why was it so important that everyone, Moshe Rabbenu, Aharon and all of Bnei Yisroel, maintain their distance, not take even one bit of the possessions and wealth of Korach and the rebels? The Torah understands that influence can arise not just from in person contact, but also from contact with another's personal belongings, certainly if one derives benefit from it. Therefore, notes Rabbi Moshe Weiss in Ziv Hechochmah, Hashem first instructs Moshe Rabbenu hibodlu/separate yourself from them, but then horimu/elevate yourself.
Hashem's instructions were to separate themselves not only from Korach himself, but from his surroundings. Letitcha Elyon cites the medrash on the verse that Hashem's angels rest around those who fear Him (Tehillim 34:8). While angels surround the righteous, those around him also receive that benefit of protection, and, conversely, those in the vicinity of an evil person are also surrounded by a negative aura. That energy, says the Saba of Kelm zt”l, has influences both internally and externally
Rav Dessler zt"l puts this idea into today's terminology. Just as there are unseen viruses in the physical world that can infect a person, so too are there invisible, spiritual "viruses" that can equally infect a person's psyche and soul. Touch nothing of theirs lest you become infected.
Rabbi Lopian zt”l provides a stark example from his own experience. When he was a young man studying in Lomze, there was a local, old hospital where patients entering with one disease very often contracted another disease for which they required treatment. How did they contract these diseases for which they had no preexisting symptoms? Investigation confirmed that these diseases had embedded themselves in the walls of the hospital from previous patients over many years, and had become part of the hospital's structure. The walls needed to be torn down and a new hospital needed to be built from new materials. If this is true of diseases of the body, how much more dangerous are spiritual viruses embedded in the walls of structures and in the environment?
Rebbetzin Smiles in her upcoming book Rhythm in Ritual, quotes Otzrot HaTorah that when our Sages speak of a moshav leitzim, they are not referring to the people as a company of scoffers, but to the place, the residence or seat where scoffers congregate. We impact our domain, and then that domain impacts others within it, either positively or negatively. Therefore, writes Rabbi Lopian, it is forbidden to stare at the face of an evil person lest his evil energy be transferred to you. Even the great Yochanan the High Priest was influenced negatively by the Saducees at the end of his days. And it is not just people. During the generation of the flood, the Torah states that the entire earth became corrupt, that even the animals "corrupted their ways." An animal follows its nature unless it is corrupted by human beings around them.
This generation that had witnessed God's presence so intimately through forty years of their sojourn in the desert still needed and new oath and a new covenant before they entered Eretz Yisroel, for they had witnessed the abominations and decadence of Amon and Moav as they passed through their land, writes Rabbenu Yerucham zt”l. It is nearly impossible not to be affected.
Rabbi Wolbe zt”l presents a clear analogy to help us understand the impact of one's surroundings. When one enters a tannery, even for a short time, the stench of the hides and the chemicals remains on one's clothes and on one's person. Similarly, when one constantly sees improper images in magazines or other negative stimuli from our surroundings, one slowly becomes inured to their subliminal power and becomes accustomed to them. When a person lives in a non-observant environment, he is very often influenced by that environment and becomes himself non-observant. Conversely, if one lives among positive people, writes Rabbi Salomon zt”l, one tends to develop a positive attitude and lifestyle.
We are told that Issachar and Zevulun were constantly involved in Torah. Rabbi Gamliel Rabinowitz notes that these two tribes were neighbors of Moshe Rabbenu Rabbenu, and the aura of Torah study that emanated from Moshe Rabbenu enveloped them and influenced them.
We are urged to take steps to insulate ourselves and our families from negative influences. Daven that your children have good friends. But also be proactive in ensuring a positive environment Recognize the insidious nature of one's surroundings, be aware of the surrounding attitudes, standards and culture. Ask appropriate questions and move away when you sense something negative. And continue to daven.
Once you've separated yourself, it is time to elevate yourself, writes Rabbi Weiss. Know who you are, and that certain behaviors and attitudes are beneath the exalted being you are. Just as I would not be influenced by the behavior of animals who are beneath me by definition, so I should not be influenced by people, "influencers," ads who are beneath you.
In Heoras Derech, Rabbi Weissblum suggests you have a daily conversation with yourself and examine your day. Does it conform to your inner essence?
Rabbi Hominer quotes an interesting observation from the Ba’l Hatruim zt”l. The word mateh is used only two times to indicate a staff. [It is used multiple times to mean tribe.] The first time is in Pharaoh's palace when Aharon's staff consumes the staffs of the Egyptian sorcerers, and the second time is here where only Aharon's staff sprouted, blossomed and brought forth almonds. Rabbi Hominer suggests that here, too, Aharon's staff swallowed the staffs of the other tribal leaders and spewed them out in the morning. Had they not been swallowed, suggests Rabbi Hominer, they would have been influence by the aura of Godly sanctity in this place and flourished along with Aharon's staff .
Rabbi Pincus zt”l warns us of the seemingly innocuous influences in our culture. Even the fairy tales seem to imply that entering someone's home without invitation and eating their food is permissible. If simple carry tales carry such negative messages, how much more harmful are the messages embedded in social media?
Let us believe in ourselves, in our dignity and in our ability. When we believe in ourselves, we create positive energy around us. That energy encompasses others who then become our support and our cheering section. How far can we go, how much can we accomplish when our neighbors, our friends our environment is positive and encouraging, filling us with the values we cherish. And then, how much positive energy can we ourselves generate for others.