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?
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. To better understand how this works, let’s take the first description of the physical Amalek; “Asher karcha b’derech-they surprised you on the road”. Chazal explain 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 liken this to the fear of scalding water. Amalek entered this situation with a very “cool” attitude. At his own detriment he jumped into the ‘scaling waters’ and attacked Bnei Yisroel, getting burnt in the process. His point was to show that it was “no big deal” to attack Bnei Yisroel. His goal was cool off the fear and awe that the nations had for Bnei Yisroel.
Each individual needs to use his or her intellect to understand and serve Hashem as best as possible, each person according to their abilities. But that is not enough, we 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 ‘naaaseh v’nishma’ without any conditions, Amalek appeared to thwart that intention. He wants 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.
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 Torah and mitzvos, and 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”. Once, a chosid came to visit the Previous Rebbe after parshas Zachor. The Rebbe told him that if he had been there for parshas Zachor he would had added another level of explanation (a refined level) about Amalek in the maamar for him.
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 relavant right now. The Rebbe at the fabrengen in 1957 dedicated a second maamar to this subject.
A person should not allow themselves to feel upset or question that fact that his avodah is important. Rather, 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. And then for all Bnei Yisroel there will be light etc.. “L’Yahudim haisa ohrah, v’simcha, v’saason, v’yikar”