Behind Every Man...

In the first pasuk of the sedra, Korach's partners in rebellion are identified: Datan and Aviram sons of Eliav and On b. Pelet, from the tribe of Reuven. As the story unfolds, the name of On no longer appears. The Talmud and the Midrash tell us that On was dissuaded from rebelling against Moshe by his wife, who is thus credited with saving his life. The Talmud in Sanhedrin states that On's wife argued that if Aharon prevailed as Kohen Gadol, On would be one of his followers and if Korach prevailed On would be his follower. Therefore, it would be pointless and foolhardy to take a stand against Moshe. Apparently, On heeded his wife's advice and is considered to have done T'shuva. The Gemara quotes the verse in Mishlei (14:1): "A wise woman builds her house; a foolish one destroys it with her own hands". The wise woman, says the Gemara, is On's wife, and the foolish is Korach's. (Note that Mrs. Ben-Pelet was merely expressing a practical point of view and did not argue that it was wrong to challenge Moshe's authority. Nonetheless, she is credited with saving her husband and is portrayed in a positive light.)

This praiseworthiness of the pragmatism of women has long precedent. When Avraham Avinu hesitated to comply with Sara's demand to expel Hagar and Yishmael, G-d told him to listen to all she says. Rivka Imenu took a very practical position vis a vis the blessings of Yitzchak in directing Yaakov's actions. Rachel and Leah "deceived" Yaakov when it was the future of the Jewish People that was at stake. Yocheved and Miriam acted courageously by disobeying Par'o and are highly praised for their role in preserving the future nation of Israel. Miriam's prophecy to her father Amram consisted of a logical argument which convinced him to take back his wife; Moshe Rabeinu, the redeemer of Israel was the result. "Because of righteous women our ancestors were redeemed from Egypt." This refers to the wives who turned around their husbands' depressed and self- defeating attitudes. Many other women in Tanach have shown this quiet power, usually based on practical considerationsand focus on goals. (Devora, Yael, Esther, Ruth, Naomi...).

Never underestimate the role of women in Judaism and Jewish history. Chaza"l didn't.

(There are halachic and practical differences between men and women in Judaism; don't confuse that with prominence. Each contributes to the whole picture on an equal footing.)

Speaking of firstborns...

Three kinds of firstborns. Human firstborns MUST be redeemed. Even though the text of Pidyon HaBen calls for the kohen to ask the father of the baby which he prefers, his son or the 5 silver coins, the father may not opt for the money (nor what is behind curtain no. 2).

The firstborn of a donkey SHOULD be redeemed, but there is a fallback mitzva, frowned upon but nonethe less on the books and available.

The firstborn of a kosher domesti cated farm animal (cow, goat, sheep) MAY NOT be redeemed.

No other firstborns have sanctity and mitzvot associated with them. Not horse or camel, not deer and antelope, not cat or dog or bird, etc. In other words, we do not generalize these mitzvot by saying that the Torah was just using an example.