Eyes and heart

In last week’s parashah it is said (Bamidbar 15:39) vihayah lachem litzitzis urisem oso uzchartem es kol mitzvos HaShem vaasisem osam vilo sasuru acharei livavchem viacharei eineichem asher atem zonim achareihem, it shall constitute tzitzis for you, that you may see it and remember all the commandments of HaShem and perform them; and not explore after your heart and after your eyes which you stray. It is noteworthy that in this week’s parashah, Korach, Rash writes (Ibid 16:7) Korach who was a piekeiach, (loosely translated as a wise man, but literally rendered as one who can see) why did he see to act with such foolishness? Rather, his eye deceived him, as he saw a dynasty of greatness that would descend from him. This was Shmuel, who was equivalent to Moshe and Aharon. Korach declared, “In the merit of Shmuel I will be saved.” Korach sought to depose Moshe as the leader and Aharon as the Kohen. The Kohen wears the Choshen, the breastplate, on his heart. Thus, Korach’s pursuit is juxtaposed to the admonishment that one should not stray after his eyes and heart. Korach with his eyes saw greatness coming out from him, and this led him to pursue the coveted Choshen which is worn on the heart.