Disintegrating Angels.

Korach decides to rebel against his first cousin Moses.  After it becomes pretty clear Moses was in the right and Korach had some major issues, and just before the earth opens up to swallow Korach and his people, G-d tells Moses and Aaron “separate yourselves from this quorum…and anything of theirs...”

We learn immediately, the grave danger there is to be in the vicinity of a bad group of people and even if it’s just their possessions.  People and their belongings radiate positive and/or negative vibes.

How many is a quorum?

This we know from the story of the spies who spoke badly of the Land of Israel. The Bible says, “Until when will this wicked quorum….” and this was directed to the ten spies who spoke badly.

In the original Hebrew – G-ds language in the Bible, the same word to describe G-ds presence amongst an assembly of a quorum, for the good and holiness, is used in our story with Korach. This teaches us, no matter why ten souls are gathered, this gathering creates the recipe necessary to draw the presence of G-d in their midst.

However, it is clearly written “The heavens and the earth I fill.” In the book of the Zohar it is written, “There is no place void of Him.” “The whole world is filled with His glory.” G-d is with every individual, and G-d is in a deserted wilderness.

What does it mean that G-ds presence is manifested when ten souls gather?

Although there is air everywhere sometimes and in some places you feel it more than other times and in other places. Nothing could exist, without the presence of G-d at that moment at that place. People however don’t always see or feel this. It takes special eyes and a special heart, one that is especially sensitive and open to this awareness.  People can have open eyes and yet they are blind to what is happening around them. In the case of spirituality this is even more pronounced.

The intensity of this holiness when ten souls gather is so great, Rabbi Shnuer Zalman writes in his seminal book of the Tanya in the name of his teachers, “ If an Angel tried to make his attendance  when ten soul are gathered, he would disintegrate in their presence.”

Angels are spiritual beings and they have a much wider spectrum to see in this realm, therefore they could never withstand the much greater and intense energy of G-dliness in that atmosphere.

There is a greater chance to be inspired and uplifted when souls gather in unison for spiritual reasons. G-d is more accessible, there is more of Him, He is more open to reach in some places and at some times more than others times and places.

This is why it is so important that people realize the tremendous greater and stronger power there is when souls are gathered, and use these opportunities to include positive constructive objectives.

When a person studies the Bible, G-ds word to the world, he summons a greater presence of G-d around him/her and in the environment he is in. Especially if it is in the presence of many, and in a place dedicated for this purpose.

The Divine Revelation at Sinai, when G-d gave the Torah, is one of the most scientifically established events in human history. It is based on the evidence and personal experience of 600,000 male adults, besides women and children, which has been transmitted in identical form from parents to children throughout the generations in an uninterrupted chain of tradition, further authenticated by virtually identical daily observances of the same commandments in all generations and in all countries of the world.

The prophet proclaims, “All those thirsty, go to water.” We don’t have to remain thirsty. There is water out there.