In this episode of The Daily Derech, Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein explores Parashat Korach, Hilchot Kriat Shema, and a teaching from Menorat HaMaor about the pursuit of justice and responsible zeal.

In the Me’am Loez section, Rabbi Rubenstein examines why Korach’s rebellion was so persuasive. Korach argued that all Israelites were holy and therefore no one should hold elevated leadership positions. While these claims sounded fair and appealing, the lesson is that authentic Jewish leadership and practice must remain grounded in divine revelation and tradition rather than personal preference or the desire to remake the system according to contemporary ideals.

In the Rambam section, Rabbi Rubenstein discusses the proper time for reciting the morning Shema. Ideally, it should be timed around sunrise, but the mitzvah may still be fulfi ...