The Short Vort

A Good Voch!

Tonight is Motzei Shabbos the 4th of Tammuz 5782 and July 4, 2022

Maintaining Your Balance

One of the key participants in the rebellion of Korach was a man by the name of On Ben Peles.

The Gemara informs us that it was his wife who saved his life.

When the rebellion was in full swing and the direct confrontation with Moshe was imminent, she stepped in to save her husband.

She told her husband, “Don’t be impulsive, what will you gain by going with Korach?

If you’re number two under Moshe, you’ll still be number two with Korach, so why join? Take a cup of wine and go lie down and take a nap. See how you feel when you wake up.”

In the interim, she uncovered her hair which precluded Korach and company to approach On.

By the time he woke up, everything was over.

With regard to Mrs. On, Shlomo HaMelech said

“The wise woman builds her house.” (Mishlei 14:1)

Meaning, she is indeed a wise woman.

Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz ZT”L asks, “What is so ‘wise’ about what Mrs. On did?

After all, she ‘just’ suggested that her husband sleep on it?

What is so insightful in that suggestion that she merits being called “The wise woman?

The answer as suggested by Rav Shmuelevitz is that the fact that she was able to maintain her emotional equilibrium at a time of crisis is indeed an amazing expression of true wisdom.

Most often when there is a mob mentality and pandemonium reigns, there is no inclination on anyone’s part to take a step back and say, “Let’s sleep on this for a while.”

The fact that Mrs. On was able to maintain her emotional balance and not fall prey to the hysteria of the mob, that is indeed a manifestation of great wisdom. Hence, Shlomo HaMelech refers to Mrs. On as “The Wise Woman “.

Have a wonderful week!

“If not now, then when?”- H. illel

Ron Yitzchok Eisenman

Rav

Congregation Ahavas Israel

Passaic, NJ

.