1. The Census and the Story of Doson and Aviram
In Parshas Pinchas, during the reading for Sheni (the second aliyah for Monday), the Torah details the census of the Jewish people. While listing the families, the Torah unexpectedly digresses to recount events from the past, specifically focusing on Doson and Aviram. Reuven, being the oldest son, is listed first, and it is here that the Torah revisits the story of Doson and Aviram—the two men who opposed Moshe and Aharon during Korach’s rebellion. These individuals were not just adversaries of Moshe and Aharon but also instigators against Hashem Himself.
The narrative recalls how, as described earlier in Parshas Korach, the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korach. Additionally, 250 leaders who offered incense were consumed by fire. The rest of Korach’s followers and his family were also swallowed by the ground. This dramatic episode is retold here in connection with Reuven’s descendants.
2. The Puzzle of “The Sons of Korach Did Not Die”
An intriguing verse appears in this section: “But the sons of Korach did not die.” This raises several questions. Why does the Torah mention this detail here? The focus seems to be on Doson and Aviram from Reuven’s tribe, yet suddenly we hear about Korach’s sons—even though Korach himself was from Levi, whose lineage is discussed later in the census.
Furthermore, there seems to be a contradiction: earlier verses state that all of Korach’s family was swallowed by the earth. If so, how could it be that his sons survived? This apparent inconsistency prompts deeper exploration into why their survival is highlighted at this point in the Torah.
3. Rashi’s Explanation: Teshuvah Amidst Catastrophe
Rashi addresses these questions with a fascinating insight. He explains that the sons of Korach were initially involved in Doson and Aviram’s plot against Moshe Rabbeinu—heim hoyu be’etzah techillah—they were part of the original conspiracy. That is why their fate is recorded together with Doson and Aviram: they joined forces at first in their opposition.
The Torah mentions them here to emphasize both their involvement in a severe sin and their eventual repentance. According to Rashi (as explained by the Rebbe), at the time of the conflict they experienced teshuvah—repentance—in their hearts. Although it may not have been complete teshuvah, it was significant enough to alter their destiny.
4. The Fate of Korach’s Sons: Between Gehenna and Redemption
The narrative continues with a mystical element: when those involved in Korach’s rebellion were swallowed by the earth, they descended into Gehenna—purgatory or spiritual retribution. There are various levels within Gehenna, both spiritual and physical aspects. Most participants perished there, consumed by fire beneath the ground.
The sons of Korach, however, survived due to their repentance. Rashi notes that they had a special place set aside for them within Gehenna. After most of those involved perished, a miraculous opening allowed them to emerge from beneath the ground alive. This escape enabled them to have children and continue their lineage—a fact necessary for understanding how there could be descendants of Korach listed nearly forty years later during this census.
5. The Message: The Power of Teshuvah Even After Sin
The placement of this story within Reuven’s census serves an important lesson: even those who initially participated in grave wrongdoing can achieve redemption through teshuvah. The Torah groups together Doson, Aviram, and Korach’s sons to highlight both their shared guilt at first and ultimately how repentance can save a person from destruction.
The reason they still had to be swallowed by the earth relates to Moshe Rabbeinu’s prayer for a miraculous sign—if any conspirator had remained above ground, it would have undermined Moshe Rabbeinu’s credibility. Thus, even those who repented experienced being swallowed up but were later saved without diminishing Moshe Rabbeinu’s standing.
This episode underscores that no matter how far one has strayed—even if one was among major instigators like Doson and Aviram—teshuvah remains possible. The survival and subsequent emergence of Korach’s sons serve as a testament to this enduring power of repentance within Jewish tradition.