“God said to Moses: ‘Write this as a reminder in the Book, and repeat it carefully to Joshua. I will totally obliterate the memory of Amalek from under the heavens...’ and Moses said: ‘God shall be at war with Amalek for all generations.’” (Exodus 17:14,16)
What is it about Amalek that causes us to be in a state of perpetual war, such that it is “inhibiting” God’s presence in this world? Israel’s task is to destroy the memory and mention of Amalek. In particular, it is the glorification of [the spirit of] Amalek which is dangerous to humanity. As long as history continues to recall in a neutral or positive manner, the memories of the butchers and slaughterers of innocent people, there will be those among the younger generation who will admire them and aspire to follow them. The spirit of Amalek will be destroyed only when ethical law becomes the universal law, and heinous crimes will truly horrify the entire world. Israel must ensure that the concept of Amalek and its glorification be eradicated from under the heavens, and God will then see to it that any physical trace of Amalek and his representatives are erased from the earth, (R. Munk). Then we will have reached the days of the Messiah—(Netziv).
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Author: Zev S. Itzkowitz
Keywords: Amalek, Amalekite, Attacking the innocent, Genocide, Killing the innocent, Killing the unarmed, Attacking the unarmed, Ethnic cleansing, Holocaust, Jewish holocaust, Jewish extermination, Exterminate the Jews, Kill the Jews
Bible reference(s): Exodus 17:8, Exodus 17:14, Exo 17:16, Deuteronomy 25:17, Deuteronomy 25:19, 1 Samuel 15:8-9, 1 Samuel 15:32-33, Esther 9:24
Source: Zev S. Itzkowitz (ed.), A Byte of Torah, Volume VII, Issue XVI.
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