Parashat Korach

Korach, a Levite, joins with Datan, Aviram and two hundred and fifty leaders to challenge Moses and Aaron: the whole community is holy, so why do you raise yourselves above them? Moses proposes a test with fire pans of incense. The earth opens and swallows Korach's household, and fire consumes the two hundred and fifty. The next day the people blame Moses, a plague breaks out, and Aaron runs into the crowd with incense to stop it. Twelve staffs are placed in the sanctuary and Aaron's alone sprouts almonds. The portion closes with the duties of priests and Levites and the gifts they receive in place of land.