I have just quashed my son, Elijah’s rebellion. He had been charged with going to sleep but rebelled. Every time I turned my back I heard the pitter patter of tiny feet on the carpet as he crept out of his room. His rebellion was paltry compared with that of Korach in this week’s Torah portion but it struck me that, counter-intuitively, rebellion brings the rebel and source of authority closer together whether they like it or not. 

To rebel, ultimately, you have to get close to the person or authority you are challenging. That’s why Elijah’s rebellion at bedtime ends in a hug. That’s why violent rebellion ends in conflict at close quarters where once the rebellion starts from far off. 

In the 2004 film, “Crash” the lead character played by Don Cheadle suggests, “It’s the sense of touch. In any real city, you walk, you know? You brush past people, people bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We’re always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something”. 

Conflict and rebellion might be problematic in some senses but at least it brings contact. Korach looks Moses and Aaron in the eye as he rails against them. 

In any case, get closer to those at Temple Sinai this Shabbat morning 23 June at 10am as we get stuck into the portion and, as a result, get closer together. If you’re feeling rebellious, get there just in time for kiddush!

Rabbi Malcolm Cohen

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http://templesinailv.posterous.com/from-rabbi-cohen-rebel-this-saturdayshabbat-mI have just quashed my son, Elijah’s rebellion. He had been charged with going to sleep but rebelled. Every time I turned my back I heard the pitter patter of tiny feet on the carpet as he crept out of his room. His rebellion was paltry compared with that of Korach in this week’s Torah portion but i …