Judaism613 - Parsha

Parshas Korach 5786

The Power of Free Choice

“Aharon took [the ketores] as Moshe had spoken and ran to the midst of the congregation and behold, the plague had begun among the people... He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was checked... Aharon returned to Moshe at the Ohel Moed, and the plague had been checked.” (Bamidbar 17:12-15)

Following Korach’s rebellion, a devastating plague struck the nation. Rashi sheds light on the dramatic confrontation between Aharon and the Angel of Destruction: Aharon physically grabbed the Angel to halt him. The Angel protested, “Leave me to do what I was sent to do!”

Aharon argued that Moshe had commanded him to intervene, but the Angel countered, “I was sent by Hashem, and you were sent only by Moshe!” Aharon settled the debate by responding, “Moshe does not speak anything of his own accord; every word is from the Creator! Come with me to the Ohel Moed where Hashem and Moshe are together, and ask!”

A beautiful hint (remez) to this conversation is embedded right in the verses. The text states “and the plague was checked” twice: first when Aharon physically intercepted the Angel, and a second time after they went to the Ohel Moed to confirm the decree had ended.

How Do You Argue With an Angel?

This exchange raises a fundamental question: since angels lack free choice and cannot deviate from their divine commands, how could this Angel pause his mission to debate Aharon and be led away?

While the holy incense (ketores) weakened the force of the plague, it alone wasn't enough to fully halt the Angel—he still required intellectual persuasion to step down. Chazal explain that when angels appear to act independently, it is a deliberate illusion meant to teach us a profound reality: a human being who sincerely fulfills Hashem's will can achieve authority over celestial forces.

The Core Difference: How can a human override an angel when both are performing Hashem's will? The distinction lies in Free Choice. An angel acts automatically, bound strictly by its programming and nature. Humans must fight to choose right over wrong.

Overcoming Nature

When we consciously choose to work on our character traits (ma’avir al middos), return to Hashem (teshuvah), or sacrifice comfort for the Torah (mesirus nefesh), we literally alter spiritual reality. We transform the mundane (chol) into the holy (kadosh). This human mastery over natural impulses effectively suspends the natural order—rendering an Angel of Punishment powerless to act.

Our free choice grants us the awesome responsibility to build or destroy. Spiritual diagnoses are never final, and no negative decree is completely unbreakable. When we elevate our actions, the negative consequences destined for us lose their target.

By choosing Torah and Mitzvos, we forge positive spiritual forces that actively mend and protect our world.