The Biggest Doctor

The pasuk singles out Dasan V’aviram swallowed by the earth as demonstration of Hashem’s power. Korach and his family were also swallowed up, and in fact were the main figures in that drama. Why talk of Dasan and Aviram?

We suggested a parable; Two desperately sick men were brought in, each suffering the identical disease. One doctor walked over and started a program of treatments and medicine, and succeeded in curing the patient. The other doctor simply came to the foot of his patient’s bed, manipulated a limb or two, and presto, the patient recovered! Which is the greater doctor? I suppose the second, because he cured with no instruments.

So when we discuss Hashem’s power, we see more in Dasan V’aviram being swallowed than in Korach being swallowed. For Korach had brought k’tores, something dangerous and deadly if unlawful. His fate could be ascribed to the effect of k’tores. But Dasan V’aviram, did not do anything dangerous yet were swallowed up; now, that really shows Hashem’s power!