Practice Parashat Korach with TropeTrainer
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Parashat Korach - פָּרָשַׁת קֹרַח
Parashat Korach recounts the rebellion of Korach (a cousin of Moses and Aaron), Dathan, Abiram, and 250 of their followers. Some rebels are swallowed by the ground, while others are consumed by a fire from God and others die in a plague. The portion ends by describing gifts given to priests and Levites.
Torah Portion: Numbers 16:1-18:32
Parashat Korach is the 38th weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Next read on July 10th, 2027 / 5 Tamuz 5787
- Annual Reading
Read Annually
1:
16:1 - 16:13· 13 p’sukim
2:
16:14 - 16:19· 6 p’sukim
3:
16:20 - 17:8· 24 p’sukim
4:
17:9 - 17:15· 7 p’sukim
5:
17:16 - 17:24· 9 p’sukim
6:
17:25 - 18:20· 24 p’sukim
7:
18:21 - 18:32· 12 p’sukim
Maftir:
18:30 - 18:32· 3 p’sukim
Haftarah:
I Samuel 11:14 - 12:22· 24 p’sukim
- Triennial Year 1
June 20th, 2026
1:
16:1 - 16:3· 3 p’sukim
2:
16:4 - 16:7· 4 p’sukim
3:
16:8 - 16:13· 6 p’sukim
4:
16:14 - 16:19· 6 p’sukim
5:
16:20 - 16:35· 16 p’sukim
6:
17:1 - 17:8· 8 p’sukim
7:
17:9 - 17:15· 7 p’sukim
Maftir:
17:9 - 17:15· 7 p’sukim
Alternate Haftarah:
I Samuel 12:1 - 12:13· 13 p’sukim
- Triennial Year 2
July 10th, 2027
1:
16:20 - 16:27· 8 p’sukim
2:
16:28 - 16:35· 8 p’sukim
3:
17:1 - 17:5· 5 p’sukim
4:
17:6 - 17:8· 3 p’sukim
5:
17:9 - 17:15· 7 p’sukim
6:
17:16 - 17:20· 5 p’sukim
7:
17:21 - 17:24· 4 p’sukim
Maftir:
17:21 - 17:24· 4 p’sukim
Alternate Haftarah:
I Samuel 12:13 - 12:22· 10 p’sukim
- Triennial Year 3
June 24th, 2028
1:
17:25 - 18:7· 11 p’sukim
2:
18:8 - 18:10· 3 p’sukim
3:
18:11 - 18:13· 3 p’sukim
4:
18:14 - 18:20· 7 p’sukim
5:
18:21 - 18:24· 4 p’sukim
6:
18:25 - 18:29· 5 p’sukim
7:
18:30 - 18:32· 3 p’sukim
About Parashat Parashat Korach
Korach is the Torah's foundational study of legitimate authority and the difference between principled dissent and self-serving demagoguery. Korach and his followers cloak their ambition in a populist slogan, insisting that the entire congregation is holy so no one should be elevated above the people. The portion also probes individual versus collective responsibility, as Moses and Aaron beg God not to punish the whole community for one man's sin. Alongside the dramatic punishments, it affirms divinely appointed leadership and the priesthood, climaxing in the miracle of Aaron's staff that sprouts, blossoms, and bears almonds, and concluding with the tithes and gifts assigned to the priests and Levites.
The Haftarah
The Haftarah for Korach is 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22, which in most communities is read by both Ashkenazim and Sephardim without divergence. Its connection to the portion is the question of legitimate leadership: the prophet Samuel confronts Israel over their flawed demand for a king, echoing the people's misunderstanding of God-appointed leadership in the rebellion against Moses and Aaron. A pointed parallel ties the two together: just as Moses defends his integrity by declaring he never took so much as a donkey from the people (Numbers 16:15), Samuel publicly affirms that he never took anyone's ox or donkey or defrauded a soul (1 Samuel 12:3). Note that when Korach falls on Shabbat Rosh Chodesh, many communities read the Rosh Chodesh Haftarah (Isaiah 66:1-24) instead; check your congregation's custom.
Notable passages and verses
The portion's most famous moment is the divine judgment in which "the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up" along with their households (Numbers 16:31-33), followed by a fire that consumes the 250 men offering incense. Aaron's staff blossoming and bearing almonds (Numbers 17:23) became an enduring symbol of God-confirmed authority. Moses' plea, "Shall one man sin and You be angry with the entire congregation?" (Numbers 16:22), is a classic source on individual versus collective responsibility. The name "Korach" itself became a byword in Jewish tradition for divisive, self-interested quarreling: the Mishnah (Avot 5:17) contrasts "the dispute of Korach and his company" as the archetype of an argument not for the sake of Heaven with the constructive disputes of Hillel and Shammai.
Frequently asked questions
What is Parashat Korach about?
Parashat Korach (Numbers 16:1-18:32) tells of a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron led by the Levite Korach, the Reubenites Dathan and Abiram, and 250 community chieftains. It explores legitimate God-appointed authority versus populist challenge, the line between principled dissent and destructive ambition, and individual versus collective responsibility, and it closes by establishing the tithes and gifts due to the priests and Levites. With TropeTrainer you can hear and practice this reading with the proper trope (cantillation).
What is the Haftarah for Korach?
The Haftarah for Korach is 1 Samuel 11:14-12:22, read by most Ashkenazi and Sephardi communities alike. It links to the portion through the theme of legitimate Jewish leadership, as the prophet Samuel confronts the people over their demand for a king. When Korach coincides with Shabbat Rosh Chodesh, many communities instead read Isaiah 66:1-24, so check your congregation's custom. TropeTrainer lets you hear and practice the Haftarah with trope.
What are the main themes of Korach?
The central themes are the legitimacy of divinely appointed leadership versus populist rebellion, the difference between sincere dissent and self-serving demagoguery, and individual versus collective responsibility. The portion also affirms the priesthood through the miracle of Aaron's blossoming staff and details the priestly and Levitical tithes. You can hear and practice the full reading with trope on TropeTrainer.
What happens to Korach and the rebels?
After Korach challenges Moses and Aaron, the earth opens and swallows Korach, Dathan, Abiram, and their households (Numbers 16:31-33), a fire consumes the 250 men who offered incense, and a subsequent plague kills many more until Aaron halts it by offering incense to make atonement. Aaron's staff then sprouts and bears almonds, confirming his authority. TropeTrainer lets you hear and practice this dramatic reading with trope.
Where to go next
Open a sample Torah reading with full Hebrew text, trope marks, and audio to see how TropeTrainer works.
See the complete list of weekly parashot with links to every reading and detail page.
Work through guided lessons on Torah trope cantillation, from basic symbols to advanced phrase patterns.