Korach

Shmuel 11:14-12:22

In this week’s Haftorah, we read about the people’s regret for the request for kingship and the repair of the ill-conceived quest. The request for leadership was met with tremendous anger both by Hashem and Shmuel HaNavi. Yet, we know that the directive for kingship is spelled out in Sefer Devarim. The Kli Yakar highlights the wording in which the B'nei Yisrael approached Shmuel. When they asked for a king, the people used the expression “שִֽׂימָה־לָּ֥נוּ מֶ֛לֶךְ” - give for us a king, while the directive in Sefer Devarim uses the wording of שׂ֣וֹם תָּשִׂ֤ים עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ מֶ֔לֶךְ - place upon you a king.  

The Kli Yakar highlights the hidden agenda of the people when they made the request, לָּ֥נוּ for us. The people were looking for a king that would be beholden to them, where the populace would determine policy and procedure rather than the king. Hashem’s intent was that the Jewish king would be upon the people - עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ upon - a human king who would model Divine kingship. These words לָּ֥נוּ - for us - and עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ - upon you - are used consistently in the dialogue between Shmuel and the nation in perek chet and continue into this perek. The tension of these words highlights the people’s inappropriate concept of kingship.

In this week’s Haftorah, we witness the repair of the people’s perspective of leadership. After Shmuel dramatically and miraculously brings a storm during the dry season, the people understand the message of a misplaced request. The people finally understand the true mission and goal of kingship when they use the words כִּֽי־יָסַ֤פְנוּ עַל־כָּל־חַטֹּאתֵ֙ינוּ֙ רָעָ֔ה לִשְׁאֹ֥ל לָ֖נוּ מֶֽלֶךְ - for we have added to all our sins the wickedness of asking for us a king. They realize that, as a people, they need to heed rather than control their leaders.  

While this episode underscores the importance of the people following their leaders, Shmuel’s quick acceptance of the people’s plea for forgiveness models the essence of a true leader. A true leader displays the ability to forgive and empathize with the people. Shmuel reassures the people that if they follow in Hashem’s ways, כִּ֠י לֹֽא־יִטֹּ֤שׁ ה֙  

אֶת־עַמּ֔וֹ בַּעֲב֖וּר שְׁמ֣וֹ הַגָּד֑וֹל, for the sake of His great name, the L-rd will never abandon His people. During challenging times, may Hashem give us leaders who can guide us and may we have the wisdom to follow their lead.