Israel Forever

For the week ending 27 June 2009 / 4 Tammuz 5769

Power Corrupts

by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach zt'l
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In his rebellion against the authority of Moshe, Korach employed demagoguery to incite the people by accusing Moshe of exploiting his power for self-interest.

As Jews hear the Torah reading this Shabbat of Korach's uprising they cannot help but wonder how he was successful in developing a following with such preposterous charges.

'Power corrupts," it has been said, "and absolute power corrupts absolutely".

While the impeccable honesty of Moshe was vindicated by the earth swallowing his opponents, the general impression remains that people of lesser stature are extremely vulnerable to corruption when they are in power.

How unfortunate it is that so many of Israel's foremost politicians have been investigated on charges of breaking the law. It is to be hoped that the public attention created by these investigations will serve as a deterrent to those who are tempted to place their own interests above those of the nation. Uncorrupted leadership is certainly an important factor in protecting Israel forever.

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