🌍 Global Noahide Fellowship

Pinchas: The Power of a Good Thought 

When the Torah enumerates the families of the tribe of Levi in our Torah portion, it surprisingly mentions the "Korchite family." Here, a question arises: How is it possible? After all, Korach, the patriarch of the family, stood at the head of the rebellion against Moses our Teacher. The entire family of Korah was punished and lost from the congregation as a result.  So, how was it counted again as if it existed and was not lost?

The Torah provides the answer in the portion: "And the sons of Korach did not die." Although the sons of Korach were partners to the evil counsel from the very beginning, at the moment of truth, during the time of the dispute, a change occurred within their hearts. They realized that they were holding onto a sin, and therefore, they resolved in their hearts to repent. That very thought of repentance—which no man saw and only the Holy One, Blessed be He, knew of—is what saved them, raised them to a safe haven, and turned them into the forefathers of Samuel the Prophet and of the Levitical watches in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. This is an example of the extraordinary power of an inner decision to repent—a thought capable of changing reality from the deepest point to the extent of a bright future.

From this, we learn about the power of repentance: it is not merely forgiveness for a sin, but a force that creates a new reality. It is capable of changing the person's spiritual standing before G-d, redeeming him from the deepest abyss, and raising him to immense heights. Even someone who sinned with such a severe transgression as challenging the leadership of Moses our Teacher can change from one extreme to the other by virtue of a good thought in the heart.

Noahides also bears responsibility to return to G-d. Repentance belongs to every person who seeks to be connected to the Creator of the universe. When a son of Noah decides in his heart to accept upon himself anew the yoke of the Seven Commandments and to connect with the will of Hashem, he is performing an internal "turnaround" within himself. This marks a profound inner transformation:one who has become spiritually distant, becomes reconnected with the Creator. Directing our focus back to the Creator grants us an instant, unbreakable spiritual resilience—lifting us out of the deepest personal struggles and placing us on entirely higher ground. 

From here, we learn for our days regarding the duty and privilege of the Children of Noah. If the sons of Korach, who were in the very heart of the storm, could change through the power of thought alone and become a source of blessing, how much more so in our generation—in which the pathways are open—that every person, Jew and Noahide alike, can awaken his heart, return to the Creator, and fulfill his purpose in the world out of joy.

Source: Likutei Sichos Vol. 33 page 170. Sanhedrin 110a. Midrash on Psalms, Chapter 1. Likkutei Sichot, Vol. 33, Pinchas.   

Rabbi Moshe Bernstein is the author of the books:

Light Onto the Nation: A Guide to the Seven Noahide Laws

Light Onto the Torah Portions: Insights on the Torah Portions for Noahides 2 volumes.

Stories of Faith for Noahides: Inspiring Stories for Noahides from the Righteous of all Generations.

Serving G-d with Joy:  A Guide for Jews and Bnei Noah to Serving the Creator with Joy