Biblical Chutzpah Hall of Fame

Author Leo Rosten defines the term “chutzpah” as “gall, brazen nerve, effrontery, incredible ‘guts,’ presumption plus arrogance such as no other word and no other language can do justice to.” Chutzpah is “that quality enshrined in a man who, having killed his mother and father, throws himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan” (“Joys of Yiddish”).

In this week’s Torah portion of Korach, we read of the rebellion of Korach against the leadership of Moshe, Aaron and
Hashem. Korach was a Levite and a cousin of Moshe and Aaron, who felt he should have been chosen to be the High Priest (Kohen Gadol).

Joining him in his dispute were 250 Israelites including Dathan and Abiram, long-term opponents of Moshe.

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When Moshe tried to approach them and to reason with them, they refused to meet with him.

“Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they said, ‘We will not go up. Is it not enough that you have brought us out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the desert, that you should also exercise authority over us?’”(16:12-13)

The most chutzpadik phrase they used was referring to Egypt as “a land flowing with milk and honey,” when Hashem specifically used that description for the Holy Land. In fact, according to the Vilna Gaon, this was why Moshe became angry. He saw their words as an affront against G-d.

When we read the narrative of Korach and his followers, we are reminded that we live by our emunah (faith). Hashem
promised He will always protect us when we abide by His will. That is what Moshe and Aharon did faithfully. Our job is to follow their example in a steadfast and unwavering way.

Shabbat shalom. PJC

Rabbi Eli Seidman is the former director of pastoral care at the Jewish Association on Aging. This column is a service of the Greater Pittsburgh Jewish Clergy Association.