1. The Aftermath of Korach’s Rebellion
In today’s portion of the Chumash, we read about the aftermath of Korach’s challenge against Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon. After Hashem punished Korach and his followers by opening up the ground in a miraculous sinkhole that swallowed them, one might think this would settle the matter. Yet, even after witnessing such an open miracle, the Jewish people continued to complain. They approached Moshe and accused him, saying, “You are the ones who killed the people of Hashem.” Despite everything that had transpired, there was still unrest and doubt among the people.
2. The Miracle of Aharon’s Blossoming Staff
To resolve this dispute once and for all, Hashem instructed each tribe to bring a staff. Each tribe presented their staff, including Aharon for the tribe of Levi. All the staffs were placed together with Aharon’s staff positioned in the middle so there would be no claims of unfairness or favoritism. These staffs were placed in the Ohel Moed—Tent of Meeting—overnight.
The next day, a miracle occurred: Aharon’s staff, which was just a dry stick long detached from any tree and lacking any source of nourishment, began to blossom. Not only did it produce flowers, but it also bore almonds—shkidim. This was a clear sign from Hashem that He had chosen Aharon and his descendants as Kohanim to serve in the Mishkan and later in the Beit HaMikdash. This miracle served as an eternal message that only those whom Hashem designates—the Kohanim from Shevet Levi—are to serve in these holy roles.
3. The Deeper Meaning of Almonds (Shkidim)
This brings us to a fundamental question: Why did Hashem choose almonds specifically? The Torah uses the word shkidim—almonds—and not another fruit or flower. There is even a playful note about how in modern Hebrew marak shkidim—almond soup—refers to something else entirely! But here we are speaking about actual almonds.
The word shaked comes from lashon shkidah, meaning diligence or swiftness. It is noted that almonds grow very quickly—from start to finish they mature in just 21 days. This rapid growth is unique among fruits and serves as a symbol for something deeper.
4. The Symbolism According to Chassidus
The Alter Rebbe explains in Likkutei Torah that this quickness is not just botanical trivia but carries spiritual significance. The blessings given by Kohanim—Birkat Kohanim—are meant to come swiftly and directly into our lives without delay or diversion.
This connects to our prayers on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur when we stand before Hashem on Yom HaDin—the Day of Judgment—and our fate for the year is decided: our livelihood, health, life itself. One might wonder why we continue praying daily for these things if everything has already been decreed during those holy days.
5. How Blessings Descend into Our World
The answer lies in understanding how divine blessings travel from their spiritual source down into our physical world. On Rosh Hashanah, Hashem determines what will be given to us spiritually—a decree of kindness or sustenance may be made on high. However, for that spiritual blessing to manifest physically (as money earned, health experienced), it must pass through many levels and worlds.
If this process is slow or circuitous, sometimes blessings can get “stuck”—they may remain spiritual benefits rather than tangible ones we experience here and now. That is why we continue praying throughout the year: not only for new decrees but so that what has already been decided should actually reach us in a revealed way.
6. The Unique Power of Birkat Kohanim—Like Almonds
This is where Birkat Kohanim, like almonds (shkidim), comes into play. Just as almonds grow rapidly without delay, so too should Hashem’s blessings descend swiftly into our lives through the channel of the Kohanim’s blessing.
The analogy is given: if water flows gently you can divert it with channels or machinery, but if it comes with overwhelming force like a tsunami nothing can stop it—it goes straight through without being diverted or delayed. Similarly, when blessings come down slowly they can be diverted or delayed by various spiritual obstacles along their journey from above to below.
The blessing given by Kohanim is meant to come with such force—like almonds growing quickly—that nothing can hold it back or divert it elsewhere. It should reach us fully and tangibly so we can benefit from Hashem’s goodness right here in this world.
7. Practical Application—Prayers for Swift Blessing
This lesson is especially relevant as we conclude Rosh Chodesh Tammuz and approach significant dates such as Bet Tammuz (the eve of the yahrtzeit of our holy Rebbe) and Gimel Tammuz (the yahrtzeit itself). With these days upon us, I plan—b’ezrat Hashem—to spend Shabbat at the Rebbe’s Beit Midrash, visiting his holy resting place on Friday.
I will pray not only for myself and my family but also for our entire community—that Hashem should grant all good things swiftly and directly, without delay or diversion. May all our requests be fulfilled speedily in a revealed way so we can enjoy them physically here below.
This is ultimately what we ask: that God’s blessings should not get “stuck,” but should come down like almonds—quickly and completely—until we merit the ultimate blessing: the coming of Mashiach Tzidkeinu, speedily in our days, Amen.