Two major public events happened this past week.

Both were public gatherings.
Both happened on Thursday.
Both have symbolism in the rainbow.
And both are reflected in this past week’s Torah portion, parshat “Korach.”

Yet the core and essence of the two events are polar opposites, spiritually speaking.

What is the core and essence behind the Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem?

This is a group of people gathering to display their personal and intimate lifestyle to the entire world. If they did not wish to show off and prance in front of the cameras, they would have been satisfied to hold their parade in Tel-Aviv alone (which they already had done earlier this year).

Yet they emphatically chose to override the majority of Jerusalem residents, and even the wishes of the Jerusalem municipality, who do not want their children exposed to such material.

They zealously fought in court for the “right” to put their intimacy on display in the city that is the center of Torah and G-dliness for Judaism and other faiths.¹

In essence, their parade shouts
“Look at me! Accept me! Me! Me! Me! I demand my rights!”

On the other hand,
you have the righteous Noahides, whose gathering is rooted in something completely opposite of the Gay Pride Parade.

In essence, the Noahide World Conference shouts
“We love G-d! We yearn for G-d! G-d! G-d! G-d! We demand to know what our responsibilities are!

The core of the Noahide World Conference is Hashem.
How can the Noahide community strengthen their connection to Hashem.
How can the Noahide community fulfill their purpose on Earth as desired by their Creator.
How can the Noahide community live up to the name they bear, as descendants of a person who was completely righteous in his generation and devoted to Hashem.

As relates to this week’s parsha, parshat “Korach”:

The rebellion against Moshe and Aaron was rooted in Korach and his followers’ belief that they deserved to be leaders, just as much as Moshe and Aaron.

Yes, Korach was extremely learned, and extremely wealthy. He was probably a great and passionate orator as well. He concluded, therefore, that he was entitled to a position of leadership. The rebellious group’s focus was “Me! Me! Me!” I have a “right to be a high priest!”

Yet G-d demands and values humility in leaders. That is to say, leaders who have zero focus on self, and are entirely focused on Hashem.

We see today that most of the great Torah leaders of the world arrived at their position of prominence simply because of who they are. The great Torah scholars of our generation and previous generations ran no campaigns. They simply listened to those who asked for their guidance. They answered according to the Torah they learn. And they continuously refine themselves as did Moshe and Aaron in their days of devotion to Hashem.

May we all merit to be those who seek to know Hashem, and seek to live according to His Will and Wisdom. Amen.