Reincarnation of Kayin – the First One in the World to be Jealous
The reason they addressed Hashem as “the G-d of the הָרוּחֹת/ruchot – ‘spirits’ rather than ‘the G-d of the נְשָׁמוֹת/neshamot – ‘souls’ is because jealousy is manifested specifically through the רוּחַ/ruach – ‘spirit.’ Korach’s ruach was the jealous spirit of Kayin. He was envious of Moshe who was a reincarnation of Hevel (HaRamaz on Zohar Bamidbar, p. 461). Korach’s sin is rooted in Kayin’s jealousy of Hevel whose offering found favor in G-d’s eyes. Hevel was the prototype of the Kohen Gadol, who offers the temple sacrifice. Kayin wanted to be chosen for this role – so he killed Hevel. In the same way, Korach was envious of Aharon’s eternal role as the Kohen Gadol of G-d’s Temple, so he tried to destroy him (Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum, Universal Torah Lessons for Humanity from the Weekly Parsha).
Icy Versus Watery Character Traits
The Zohar describes the birth of Kayin as due to the
spiritual pollution that the serpent had injected into Chava (Zohar Chadash
p. 63b). Korach’s spirit retained the spiritual pollution of the primordial
serpent that originally was absorbed by Kayin. Just as the serpent was
motivated by its jealousy of Adam, so was Korach jealous of the Elitzafan being
appointed to be the leader of the Kehatites (Rashi, Bamidbar 16:10).
Moshe and Korach represent two types of people, indicated by their names. The
name ‘Moshe,’ means min hamayim meshitihu, “For I drew him out of
the water” (Shemot 2:10), whereas the name ‘Korach,’ has the exact same
Hebrew spelling as kerach – ice. Moshe represents water; Korach
represents ice. Ice is cold, hard, and unyielding, expanding ever larger as it
freezes, symbolic of an inflating ego. Water is fluid, life-giving, and always
flows to the lowest possible point, symbolic of humility. Our lesson is to
emulate the watery traits of Moshe, rather than the frozen qualities of Korach.
(Efraim Palvano
https://www.mayimachronim.com/moses-and-korach-abel-and-Kayin-water-and-ice/).
The Rectified Jealousy of the Sons of Korach
Despite the devastating effect of jealousy, it is possible to use
this trait to enact repair on the deepest level. Looking at the inner dimension
of jealousy it becomes clear that through it we receive the ability to rectify
the world, which includes rectifying the destructive character trait of
jealousy. We learn this from the repentance of Korach’s sons, who were saved
from punishment. In a moment of truth, they succeeded in uprooting the natural
jealousy buried in their souls. Thereby they taught all future generations that
it’s possible to rectify sin. This is “a descent for the sake of ascent!” in
the deepest sense! (Rav Yugav Kohen, The Primordial Serpent, Kayin, and
Korach). Thus, through tears of heartfelt teshuva, the sons of Korach were
able to melt their hereditary ice of arrogance and transform it into streams of
fluid waters, always flowing towards the lowest humblest point!
EmunaHealing Exercise to Overcome Jealousy and Feel Happy with
Your Portion
It is recommended to do this EmunaHealing exercise near a natural
body of water, whether on the beach, at a lake, river, or a spring.
1. Rest in your place of comfort and focus on your even breath.
Breathe slowly through your nostrils as you allow your mind to focus on the
special gifts of your life.
2. What do you have to be grateful for? Perhaps you can think
about some special G-d-given talents that you possess. Then let your mind
wander to counting your blessings. If you have children how wonderful! if you
have a supportive husband, what a blessing! We also mustn’t take physical
health for granted. If you can get out of bed in the mornings, walk around and
use your hands to do simple chores you are privileged! If you can see the
beautiful flowers, hear the birds sing, taste delicacies, and smell the roses,
how fortunate you are!
3. Shift your consciousness to your accomplishments in life! In which
skills do you excel? Perhaps you are a great communicator, listener, homemaker,
baker, cleaner, hostess, daughter, healer, singer, musician, writer, teacher,
or artist. Perhaps you have other talents that you employ to help people and
better your environment. How blessed you are to have honed these skills to
shine upon the world. Breathe into your accomplishments and let the feeling of
gratitude fill your heart, spilling over into every limb of your body.
4. Yet, despite your gifts and accomplishments perhaps there may
still be a tinge of jealousy somewhere in your conscious or unconscious mind.
It may be loud and strong or weak and hidden in the recesses of your heart. We
need to bring our feelings of jealousy up to the surface in order to uproot
them.
5. Now, acknowledge your jealousy: Is there anyone in your life that seems to be more successful, and accomplished than you? Do you
sometimes wish that you had what she has? Perhaps you are harboring other
jealous feelings? Just recognizing that you’re having these feelings opens the
door to letting them go.
6. Perhaps your jealous feelings can help you learn more about
yourself, about your insecurities and needs. Ask yourself the following
question: “What am I most afraid of in this situation?” Breathe into this
question and open yourself to receive an answer. Let the answer penetrate every
fiber of your being and continue asking: Are those learned beliefs/feelings
really relevant to my current circumstances? Am I willing to identify the old
fears and let them pass?” Now, open yourself to finding new ways to let go of
learned beliefs/ feelings and alleviate your fears. Breathe into these feelings and fears and envision them melting
away.
7. Often the underlying cause of jealousy is the feeling that
there isn’t enough of whatever it is you desire. If others have what you want,
you may fear that there isn’t enough for you to also receive your proper share.
Ask yourself: “How did I learn to believe there is not enough (love, approval,
etc.) to go around? And listen for the answer.
8. Breathe into the Talmudic statement: “No person may touch that
which is prepared for another by G-d; everyone receives what is designated for
him. One reign does not overlap with another and deduct from the time allotted
it even a hairbreadth” (Yoma 38b).
9. Acknowledge that if it were good for you to have any of the
things you envy in others, G-d would have also given you this. So, if He did
not give it to you, then it is certainly not beneficial for you. Acknowledge
that you truly have everything you need right now!!!!!! Breathe into this feeling of gratitude and
proclaim: “I have everything I need right now!” Then open your eyes to a
brighter world belonging to you!
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