I remember when my daughter was just a few months shy of her 4th birthday, we were having a conversation and she said, “I am almost 4, so I know things.” To be honest, I think I remember this incident particularly well because it happened only few days ago. But that is beside the point. 

What is not beside the point, though, is the message we can learn from here. You see, in life, we can “know things” in a couple of ways. One way is simply based on our age and life experience. As we experience new things, we learn and hopefully grow from them. But ultimately, the best way to “know things” is to be humble enough to listen; how much we are willing to learn and be educated will often translate into how much we know things. 

Our goal in life is not to climb to the top of the mountain, rather, our goal in life is to climb the mountain. So long as we are climbing, so long as we are on a journey, and so long as we do not remain complacent with what we currently know, then greatness will not just be something we talk about, rather, it will be something we experience. 

The commentaries point out that the mistake of Korah was ויקח קרח – and Korach took. Instead of working his way up, instead of climbing and journeying, instead of letting Hashem do His job of being the One in control, Korach “took” it upon himself to make things happen on his own. He focused on the results – being on top – as opposed to working hard at the journey. He was trying to force a chill. He tried to take the prestigious levels of authority upon himself, and did not have the wherewithal and patience to work hard and let Hashem make things work out for him. He tried to work it out himself. 

Of course, it is imperative that we have lofty dreams, goals, and aspirations. We must look at the top of the mountain and think big. But, at the same time, we should have the humility and patience to work at it, and keep working at it, knowing that there is tremendous value in the climbing of the mountain. Each step up or down that mountain, will teach a person a new aspect about himself and the world at large. 

A 4-year-old may think he/she knows things, and the truth of the matter is that they do. On their level, according to their life experience, they know a lot. But it takes a certain level of self-respect, humility, and personal maturity to know that your current knowledge base is limited.  

In a certain way, perhaps, Korach made the immature mistake of thinking that he “knows things” to the extent that he wasn’t willing to listen and hear the other side. His mind was set on the fact that he should be on top. Arguments ensued, and he went downhill from there.  

If we stop striving for growth, we – like Korach – can go downhill. But, if we keep striving and maintain an attitude of constant learning and growing, then our lives will be only uphill. 

Have a holy Shabbos!