Choose Your Neighbor

Lesson from weekly Torah reading: Parashat Korach (Nu 16:1-18:32)

The following is Rashi's commentary :

"Woe to the evildoer and woe to his neighbor" (Negaim 12:6). The tribe of Reuben encamped to the south near the Kohathites, which included the family of Korach, the evildoer; therefore many of the Reubenites became enmeshed in his rebellion. Conversely, "Fortunate is a tzaddik and fortunate is neighbor" (Tanchuma 12). Because the tribes of Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun encamped on the east near Moses, who was engaged in Torah study, they became great in Torah (see Nu 2:1-16).