Off & On – Korach
The story begins by naming the henchmen. They are Korach, Datan, Aviram and On ben Pelet (Num. 16:1). We hear a great deal about what happened with Korach, Datan and Aviram – but after the introductory verse, there is not a word more about On ben Pelet. He disappears completely from the scene.
The Torah does not explain why, but the sages come to our rescue. On, they say, had a shrewd and helpful wife. Mrs. On was not impressed with the company her husband was keeping or with their plot against Moses and Aaron. Whatever actual words she used, the gist of her observations to her husband was, “Don’t be a fool. If Moses wins, you will be punished. If Korach wins, you will get nothing for your pains. You’ll lose, whatever you do. For heaven’s sake. get out now while there is still time!”
On recognised the sense in what his wife said, and that is why he drops out of the story. And his disappearance tells us a great deal, about him and about her. Wives often have a better understanding than their husbands: the marriage blessings call a wife binyan adei ad, and if you link binyan with binah, “understanding”, you see that in a good wife a sensible husband has a sound adviser. It does not always happen the other way around, though a wife whose husband is wise will find herself blessed.
