אם כמות כל האדם ימתון אלה ופקדת כל האדם יפקד עליהם לא ה‘ שלחני. ואם בריאה יברא ה‘ ופצתה האדמה את פיה ובלעה אתם ואת כל אשר להם וירדו חיים שאלה וידעתם כי נאצו האנשים האלה . . .

Baron Hirsch was one of the leading figures in the reform movement, who financed the establishment of schools to teach Jewish children secular studies.  This idea was anathema to the religious leadership in Eastern Europe, who foresaw the decline in Torah observance, were these schools flourished in the Jewish community.  The first Rebbe of Bobov, Rabbi Shlomo Halberstam Ztz”l was one of the fierce warriors against this worrying move and used to ensure that this subject was part of his speeches at any opportunity, like a Tisch or other gatherings.  These speeches usually included sharp rebukes against Baron Hirsch, and the Rebbe often cursed him and his unholy endeavors.

During one meal on Rosh Chodesh, the Rebbe expressed himself as follows: “May the merit of the holy Torah and the merit of the holy Jewish children who study the holy Torah be a protection for the Jewish people, that they should soon be rid of Baron Hirsch, who will die an unnatural death – just like Korach!

The Rebbe then posed a question about the above Posuk: Why did Moshe start by saying “אם כמות כל האדם ימותון אלה ופקדת כל האדם יפקד עליהם לא ה’ שלחני” – if Korach and his entourage will die a natural death, then Hashem did not send me.  This long-winded introduction seems redundant, as Moshe could have started by saying:  בזאת תדעו כי ה’ שלחני, אם בריאה יברא ה’ ופצתה” האדמה את פיה וגו’ ואם לא יברא לא ה’ שלחנו” – with this sign, you shall know that Hashem sent me: if Korach dies an unnatural death, then it will be a sign that Hashem sent me, and if not, then it is a sign that I am not Hashem’s emissary?”

The Rebbe went on to explain that when wicked people die a natural death, their wickedness has staying power and can do harm long after their demise.  However, if they die an unnatural death, their wickedness dissipates – he takes it all to his untimely grave.  This is what Moshe was telling the Jewish people: If these people (i.e., Korach and his followers) will die a natural death, then there will always be others who will keep saying: “לא השם שלחני” – Hashem did not send me.  Not so if the naysayers disappear into a gaping hole in the earth – no one will have any further doubt as to the cause of their unnatural death, which will put a stop to any bad-mouthing on Moshe Rabbeinu.

The following morning, it was announced that Baron Hirsch died from ingesting a poisonous liquid, so ended the life of this evil man.

(קרח טז:כט-ל)