The Gift of Teshuvah
When Moshe Rabbeinu wanted to dissuade the populace from joining Korach, he made the following profound proclamation: “If these men die a natural death, that means G-d did not send me. But if G-d will make a new creation such that the earth opens its mouth and swallows them alive, then this will prove that G-d did send me” (Bamidbar 16:29). This declaration, though seemingly harsh, was a necessary measure to halt the rebellion’s progress. But why did Moshe Rabbeinu choose such a seemingly severe punishment for the followers of Korach, that the ground would swallow them alive? Wouldn’t it have sufficed if the ground swallowed the followers of Korach after they already perished?
The Belzer Rebbe, zt”l, said we can find the answer from a Rashbam on the following Gemara in Bava Basra (74a):
Rabbah bar Bar Channa met an Arab merchant. The merchant told him, “Come, I will show you the men of Korach that were swallowed up.” He showed him two cracks that emitted smoke. Rabbah bar Bar Channa took a piece of clipped wool, dipped it in water, attached it to the point of a spear, and let it in there. When he took it out, it was singed. Thereupon the merchant said, “Listen attentively to what you are about to hear.”