Parshas Zachor: Remembering to Wipe out the 2021 Version of Amalek
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This week is parshas Zachor. There is a positive commandment to remember what Amalek did to us on our way out of Mitzrayim. We remember this daily in the 6 remembrances at the end of davening. We also fulfill this positive mitzvah once a year by listening to the reading of the parsha about wiping out Amalek on Shabbos parshas Zachor.
How is it possible today to actually fulfill this mitzvah? Long ago Sancheriv rose up and mixed up all nations to the point that we no longer know precisely who Amalek is or where they live. Also, the Torah says that in order to wipe out Amalek we need a King. At this time, do we have a Jewish King (until Moshiach) with which to do this mitzvah? Since we are not able to practically implement this mitzvah, what then is the purpose of constantly remembering our obligation?
There are two essential aspects in our daily service of Hashem. The spiritual; to learn, daven and do mitzvos, and the physical; to engage the world, do business and make it a dwelling place for Hashem.
The Rebbe explains that just like there is a physical Amalek, so too there is a spiritual Amalek that relates directly to our avodas Hashem. Physically there were two times that Amalek attacked the Jewish people. The first was after leaving Mitzrayim on their way to Matan Torah. The second time was right before the Jewish people entered Eretz Yisroel. What do these two attacks mean in our spiritual service of Hashem and how are they relevant today in 2021?
To better understand how this works, let’s take the description of the physical attack of Amalek; “Asher karcha b’derech-they surprised you on the road”. Chazal explains that “karcha” doesn’t just mean surprise, or happened upon, but also (most importantly) means “kar-cha-cooled you off”. After yetzias Mitzrayim and Krias Yam Suf all the surrounding nations were trembling in fear and awe of Bnei Yisroel. Chazal likens this to the fear of scalding water. Amalek entered this situation with a very “cool” attitude. To their own detriment Amalek jumped into the ‘scalding waters’ and attacked Bnei Yisroel, getting burnt in the process. Their point was to show that it was “no big deal” to attack Bnei Yisroel. Their goal was to cool off the fear and awe that the nations had for Bnei Yisroel.
The spiritual attack of Amalek was their complaint about the sincerity and complete commitment to Hashem the Jewish people had, and later expressed by Matan Torah when saying “Na’aseh v’Nishmah”; first, “We will do” and only afterwards “We will understand”. This attribute which the Jewish people received from Yaakov was an anathema to Amalek. Amalek told the Jewish people to be first smart, cold and calculating about whether to accept the Torah and do the mitzvos. Only if they decide it’s in their best interest should they go ahead and act. This approach down the road will undermine our relationship with Hashem and drain out the life and enthusiasm in avodas Hashem.
Each individual needs to use his or her intellect to understand and serve Hashem as best as possible according to their abilities. But that is not enough, we all need to direct our intellect into the heart, to utilize it to impact our daily lives. This is where our personal Amalek gets involved. He tries to separate (Am-malak-a nation that separates) between the intellect and its positive effect on the heart. It’s that voice that tells us not to get excited about the Torah we are learning and our davening. Just as it was originally, when we were on our way to receive the Torah in a way of ‘Na'aseh v’Nishma’ without any conditions. Amalek appeared to thwart that intention. They want us to serve Hashem and receive his Torah only with the intellect and not the heart (with kabbolos ohl). Rather, he works tirelessly to cool us off with the dictates of cold objective logic, and a cynical attitude.
The Medrash says that for the second attack of Amalek on the Jewish people, Amelek dressed up like a Canaanite merchant. Amelek scolded the Jewish people saying; “If you want to make it in this world you have to act like a Canaanite. If you are going to follow all the rules of the Torah, be honest about weights and measures, tell the truth, and not take interest etc., how are you going to make money?! If you want to live the good life you have to be a Canaanite!” Even when the Jewish people responded that it is Hashem that provides all of the brachos that bring all the success, Amalek instantly barked back with cynicism; “Kochi v’oztem yadi!” all that matters is what you do.
This is the Amalek we face each and every day in one form or another. We need to refresh our avodas Hashem with this remembrance daily and keep our focus on the Torah and mitzvos and in our conduct in the world. In this way we do our part to fulfill the mitzvah of wiping out Amalek.
There are numerous maamarim that address the many forms that Amalek appears in our avodas Hashem. Some forms are very subtle and refined while others open and blunt. At times this Amalek asks the chosid; “Why are you so mihadar in that mitzvah, is it really necessary? It’s more than enough for you (or, someone of your stature) to follow Shulchan Aruch”.
In 1957, and 1967 the Rebbe spoke about a 1936 Purim fabrengen of the Previous Rebbe. At That fabrengen the Previous Rebbe quoted a maamar from the Alter Rebbe that Amalek is gematria (numeric value) safek. He explained that the way that Amalek cools off a person in his avodas Hashem is by creating doubt in his or her thinking. The essential doubt that Amalek is attempting to create is to doubt the value and realness of our avodas Hashem. He wants a Yid to doubt and question whether or not his or her avodah is real, purposeful or relevant right now.
A person should not allow themselves to feel upset or question that fact that his avodah is important. He or she needs to realize that since we are connected to Hashem and to Moshe Rabbenu, we are given the power to overcome and eradicate Amalek in our daily lives.
Remembering the parsha of Amalek is one of the 6 daily and constant remembrances. Parshas Zachor reminds us and gives us the strength throughout the year that every day we can renew the victory over Amalek from yet another angle. Amalek has but one agenda; to destroy the Jewish people. The Jewish people have the agenda of blotting out the name of Amalek forever and usher in the eternal era of Moshiach now and forever.
A Good Shabbos
Adapted from Likutei Sichos v 1 parshas Zachor