Torah Classes

Chp. 16 verse 1: Introduction, an overview of Korach who he was and why did he rebel against Moshe at this time?

Chp. 16 verses 2 - 5: Korach and his assembly confront Moshe, claiming that he has taken to much power for himself and his brother. Korach contends that all the people are holy and heard God at Mt. Sinai. Moshe falls on his face. He then addresses Korach and his assembly and tells them that in the morning it would become evident whom God has chosen to serve as the High Priest.

Chp. 16 verses 6 - 11: The portion continues with Korach's rebellion against Moshe and Aaron. Moshe tells them to bring their fire pans and that God would chose only one of them to serve Him, the others would die. Moshe tried to convince them to end their rebellion but he did not succeed.

Chp. 16 verses 12 - 22: Continues with Korach's rebellion. Moshe tries to appease Dasan and Avirom, but to no avail. Moshe has Korach, Aaron, and the 250 men gather at the entrance to the Mishkan with their fire pans and incense. God then tells Moshe to have the people separate from Korach and his assembly.

Chp. 16 verses 23 - 35: Moshe warns the people to separate from Korach and Dasan and Avirom. He tells the people that God would bring a new Creation to punish their rebellion that would prove once and for all that all that Moshe had done was by the command of God.

Chp. 17 verses 1 - 15: The people complain about Moshe and Aaron after the death of the 250 men. God brings a plague against the people because of their complaints. 14,700 men die before Aaron,upon Moshe's command takes his firepan and burns incense on it which stops the plague.

Chp. 17 verses 16 -28: Even with those being consumed by the fire, others swallowed by the earth, and those dying in the plague the people were still not convinced that the tribe of Levi had been chosen to serve God in the Mishkan. So there was one last test, that of the staffs that would prove once and for all that both Aaron and the tribe of Levi had been chosen by God and not Moshe.

Chp, 18 verses 1 - 13: Deals with the duties of the priests and the levites in the Mishkan/Temple. Also the 24 gifts that were given to the priests.

Chp. 18 verses 14 - 32: The conclusion of the portion. It states about the gifts given to the Priest from the people. Also the gifts given by the people to the Levites. The gifts given to the Priest from the Levi.