Workers of the World Unite!
Moshiach is the leader who brings out the best in us and enables us to realize our G-d given potential. Only during this Messianic Age, ushered in by Moshiach, will the world experience true peace and unity.
The Elusive Nature of Unity
Communism works in theory, but not in practice. At least, this is what many of Communism’s critics and erstwhile supporters seem to agree upon. In truth, Communism does not even work in theory, because it is based on a faulty premise. Can people, from diverse backgrounds, with varied interests unite, only because it is in their best interest to unite? History has taught us that it is not possible. And yet, Judaism believes that in the Messianic Era we will experience this unity.
We can gain some insight into understanding why – as a result of human nature – it is currently impossible to truly unite and how in the future Messianic Age, that unity will become a reality, from this week’s Torah portion, Korach.
Korach, Moses cousin, started a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. He refused to accept their exalted position in the Jewish community. His populist message was, “All of the community is holy, and G-d is within them. Why do you put yourselves above the Jewish community?”
Korach appeared to be hypocritical when he on the one hand, demanded equality for all, criticized Moses and Aaron’s leadership positions, and yet he craved to be their leader.
Different Views of Leadership
The difference between his view of a leader and Moses’ view was substantial. According to the Rebbe’s teachings, Korach felt that all Jews are inherently good and holy. What need do they have for someone who towers above them and controls them?
On the other hand, Korach felt there should be a leader whose role would be more like the role of a coordinator, who is never aloof and distant from his people.
Korach’s error was that the very fact that every Jew possesses a divine soul and is therefore inherently good and holy, is true only insofar as the inner dimension of every Jew is concerned. But, how does one access this inner holiness? How does one manifest this inner goodness? How does one act outwardly in a manner that is commensurate with their inner spirituality?
The answer is that the role of a Jewish leader, such as Moses and Aaron, because they were so exalted, was to transform their spark of G-dliness into a torch of G-dliness that would burn through all the layers of materiality and conventionality.
Souls on Fire Leadership
To allow the Jewish nation to remain the way they were, left to their own devices, with only an administrative “coordinator.” was guaranteed to fail. The external pressures and the ease, with which the evil of the world can overshadow the internal good and holiness, would cause the majority of the people to falter.
Only Moses and Aaron, and similar leaders, whose souls were “on fire,” were capable of bringing out the best in all of us, enabling us to access our inner soul and direct its vitality outward.
Any theory of unity that is based on leaving things the way they are because they are naturally good is doomed to fail. Any philosophy which is materialistic will surely cause its adherents to degenerate into discord and strife, because the physical and material aspects of our beings are the greatest causes for division.
Only a philosophy that recognizes the innate divinity of every person and that simultaneously believes in the role of a leader who ignites the spark so that the G-dly dimension of each individual is allowed to consume the material aspects of his existence - can lead to unity. Unity does not come naturally; it requires hard work, an inner spirituality and a great leader who inspires us to work for the unleashing of that spirituality.
Messianic Leadership
This sums up our belief in Moshiach and a Messianic Era. Moshiach is the leader who brings out the best in us and enables us to realize our G-d given potential. Only during this Messianic Age, ushered in by Moshiach, will the world experience true peace and unity.
From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Korach by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
