Parashat Zachor - Who We Are and Who We Are Not

This upcoming Shabbat, the Shabbat prior to Purim, we will be reading Parashat Zachor

(Devarim 25:17-19). Hashem commands us to remember what Amalek did to us while we were leaving Mitzrayim. The Tanach’s accounting of Amalek illustrates what they represent.

There are two accounts of Amalek fighting Am Yisrael in the Torah: The actual event in

Sefer Shemot (17:8-16) and the recollection of it in Sefer Devarim. In Sefer Shemot, shortly after the miracle of Keriyat Yam Suf (the splitting of the sea), Bnei Yisrael complain for water. Hashem then performs another miracle instructing Moshe to strike a rock with his stick in order to initiate water flow for the people. Next, we hear of Amalek waging war with the nation. Our response graduates from passive recipients to one of human initiative fueled by belief in Hashem. An army is assembled with Yehoshua in the lead and the people are told to fight the Amalekites. All the while, Moshe would stand atop a mountain with raised arms, supported by Aharon and Hur. For as long as his arms were raised they would succeed. The sages explain that Moshe’s hands would be raised in prayer as well as bring the soldier’s attention toward Hashem, the One ultimately in charge. In partnering with Hashem, we weaken the enemy. After that, Hashem informs Moshe that He will wipe out the memory of Amalek, pursuing an ongoing battle with them from one generation to the next.

The second account of Amalek appears in Devarim. There we are commanded to take

matters in our own hands as well. It recounts the event in further detail, sharing how Amalek “happened” upon Bnei Yisrael when they were leaving Mitzrayim and smote those that were in the back of the camp. The text also points out that the Amalekites were not G-d fearing. When we are to settle in our own land we are commanded to blot out their memory.

We almost accomplish that in Shemuel 1 15:1-34. The navi (prophet) Shemuel, informs King Shaul of Hashem’s command to wipe out the entirety of Amalek. King Shaul destroys most of them but leaves out the Amalekite King Agag and keeps the best of the animals to give as korbanot to Hashem. Though Shemuel takes care of the job of killing King Agag on his own, he informs Shaul that because he did not follow G-d’s command in its entirety Hashem would tear the kingdom away from him. Fast forward to the story of Purim and Haman “Ha’Agagi,” a descendant of King Agag the Amalekite, decides to kill all the Jews in Persia, choosing the date of massacre based on a lottery. Mordechai then encourages Esther’s involvement to be a kli (vessel) in saving the Jewish people.

So what do we gather about Amalek? Sources in the Tanach present Amalek as a

nomadic people, focused merely on survival. As mentioned above, they were not G-d fearing and took advantage of the weak. The theme of happenstance is also associated with Amalek both in Torah, as mentioned earlier, and Navi (Shemuel 2). In the latter, we learn of an Amaleki who “happened upon” King Shaul and assisted in his death. The Amalekites also are in constant battle with Bnei Yisrael.

Amalek represents the antithesis of the Jewish people. They are self-focused, lack

morality and personal responsibility, and deny Hashem’s hashgacha (involvement in the world). Each year, just before the recollection of Haman Ha’Agagi’s self-centered attempt to annihilate the Jews of Persia, we gather together to recall the misdeeds of Amalek and what they represent. This reminds us what we are not, and should never be, as well as our responsibility to insure such contrarines to G-d and His Torah don’t fester in this world.

This Shabbat is an opportunity to self reflect and address traces of Amalek that may be

found within ourselves.

• How do we view Hashem? As distant and uncaring as Amelek sees Him, or One that wisely and compassionately weaves Himself into our lives?

• How do we view ourselves? As mere spectators, or, as Esther displays, active

participants in Hashem’s world?

• Do we tend to be self focused like Haman or other focused like Mordechai?

Baruch Hashem, life is not merely up to chance. We can take moral responsibility feeling Hashem holding our hands through the process, thereby bringing awareness of the true G-d to others.

Shabbat shalom!