At first glance, Korach’s rebellion appears to be a cohesive protest movement. But a closer look at its participants uncovers a coalition bound more by opposition than by a shared vision – a timely lesson about causes and the alliances they attract.

The Torah introduces Korach’s followers: “And Korach took… together with Datan and Aviram… descendants of Reuven.” Who were Datan and Aviram, and what was their connection to Korach and his cause? Rashi explains that the camps of Levi and Reuven were situated next to one another. Hence, “Woe to the wicked, woe to his neighbor.” Proximity led these groups, each harboring grievances, to influence one another and join forces. Yet, as Ha’amek Davar notes, they were not motivated by the same concerns. Korach sought leadership, driven by an aspiration that may have been misguided but was not entirely self-serving. Datan and Aviram, by contrast, were habitual dissenters who attached themselves to any cause that fueled resentment and division.

The Midrash identifies Datan and Aviram as recurring antagonists throughout the wilderness journey. They were the Hebrews who informed on Moshe after he killed the Egyptian, those who defied God’s command by leaving manna overnight, those who spread panic at the Sea, and those who helped inflame the people’s rebellion after the spies’ report. More than an exercise in identifying biblical characters, the Midrash offers a portrait of a particular type of person – one whose defining characteristic is opposition itself.

The story of Datan and Aviram challenges us to think carefully about the people and movements with whom we align ourselves. Shared interests or common enemies can create unlikely alliances, but not all partnerships are wise. “Woe to the wicked, woe to his neighbor” – The people with whom we choose to stand ultimately shape not only our causes, but ourselves. Shabbat Shalom -Karen Miller Jackson