Parsha Inspired Menus - Korach

There are 3 times in this parsha where Moshe or Moshe and Aaron fall on their faces - in all 3 the common theme is humility. The first instance is as Korach and team malign Moshe and Aaron, saying "They combined against Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all the community are holy, all of them, and God is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above God’s congregation?” Before they go on to explain more of their grievances, Moshe falls on his face. As the Or HaChaim explains

Moses already understood their meaning even though they had not spelled it out as yet. Accordingly, we may assume that Moses "fell" already as soon as Korach accused him of having raised himself above the people.

The second time, they are trying to lessen God's wrath as God is ready to annilahate the whole people over this challenge to the leadership God chose. Ibn Ezra says that in this case they fall on their faces to pray. I would add that they are trying to approach God with humility, as they know the choice is God's, but they are hoping that with the right entrance they can hope to get God to reconsider. The final instace of falling on their face is after the punishment of Korach and team

when the rest of the Israelites blame Moshe and Aaron for the problem and God, once again, is angered and ready to punish. Rather than argue back, this time Moshe and Aaron just fall on their faces. I think it's an acknowledgement that they are not capable of fixing the problem. Their leadership has hit their limit and they don't have the power to persuade the Israelites to behave as God would want. While not the only time we hear this phrase in the Torah, having 3 so close together is noteworthy and gives a certain tone for this moment in the life of Moshe and Aaron, one of humility. With this in mind, I wanted a food that fell on its face, which made me think of soufflé. Of course, with soufflé, you hope it won't fall (but it usually does.) So many options, but try this easy-to-make Corn Souffle to make your Shabbat prep a little easier.

Later in the parsha, there is explanation of how the kohanim will get food from the sacrifices offerered in the temple. As it says:

כֹּ֣ל ׀ תְּרוּמֹ֣ת הַקֳּדָשִׁ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָרִ֥ימוּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ לַֽיהֹוָה֒ נָתַ֣תִּֽי לְךָ֗ וּלְבָנֶ֧יךָ וְלִבְנֹתֶ֛יךָ אִתְּךָ֖ לְחׇק־עוֹלָ֑ם בְּרִית֩ מֶ֨לַח עוֹלָ֥ם הִוא֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה לְךָ֖ וּֽלְזַרְעֲךָ֥ אִתָּֽךְ׃

All the sacred gifts that the Israelites set aside for GOD I give to you, to your sons, and to the daughters that are with you, as a due for all time. It shall be an everlasting covenant of salt *covenant of salt before GOD for you and for your offspring as well.

Now, the covenant of salt is an interesting phrase. In the simplest sense, it can reference that offerings are salted, as it says in Leviticus:

וְכׇל־קׇרְבַּ֣ן מִנְחָתְךָ֮ בַּמֶּ֣לַח תִּמְלָח֒ וְלֹ֣א תַשְׁבִּ֗ית מֶ֚לַח בְּרִ֣ית אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ מֵעַ֖ל מִנְחָתֶ֑ךָ עַ֥ל כׇּל־קׇרְבָּנְךָ֖ תַּקְרִ֥יב מֶֽלַח׃ {ס}        

You shall season your every offering of grain with salt; you shall not omit from your grain offering the salt of your covenant with God; with all your offerings you must offer salt.

But the mifarshim have some other interesting takes on it:

Rashi - A COVENANT OF SALT FOR EVER — This means that He made a covenant with Aaron by means of something which is wholesome and lasting and keeps other things wholesome

Rashbam - I believe that the Torah uses the term “salt” to symbolize something which endures indefinitely.

HaKtav v'HaKabalah - An eternal covenant of salt. The connotation of salt is a mixture of opposite elements, for the elements of fire and water unite in salt. [Rabbeinu Bahya explains this fire and water this way - The major ingredient of salt is water. Due to the power of the sun which shone upon it it turns into salt. In other words, salt represents a fusion of the elements fire and water.] This teaching about salt led me to an insight: Most of the nation of Israel are involved in temporal matters of worldly affairs, while the kohanim alone were chosen by Hashem to be constantly devoted to His service, to be close to Him in spiritual matters. Thus, they have extra commandments as befits their holiness. The nation was obligated to give them twenty-four gifts

as presented in this parshah, which forms a partnership of unity between the kohanim and the nation in general. By this, the nation enabled the kohanim to devote themselves to eternal spiritual service. The cooperation thereby accomplished is called the covenant of salt, in accordance with the meaning of salt, which is a mixture and unity of disparate matters.

Which interpretation speaks to you? You can discuss it over this Salted Garlic Green Bean dish that highlights salt in the flavor profile.

Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!