“Remember what Amalek did to you… that he met you on the way and he struck those of you who were lagging behind… when you were faint and exhausted…” (Deuteronomy 25:17–18).
Who are Amalek? What do they represent? How can we perform this mitzvah [commandment] of remembrance in our generation?
Our Sages teach that when the Jews left Egypt they were viewed by the nations of the world as “untouchables.” No one would have dared to confront them. The ten plagues, the destruction of the Egyptians in their country as well as at the Red Sea, were well known and struck fear in the hearts of the nations of the world. No one would have even thought to attempt to oppose Bnei Yisrael [the sons of Israel]—until Amalek attacked. Amalek, like every other nation, knew this was a suicide mission, yet they still attacked, clearing the road for others to follow. After Amalek’s attack, starting up with Bnei Yisrael became something in the realm of the possible. True, Amalek was defeated, but perhaps victory could be achieved with a larger and better equipped army? Amalek had taken the first step, leaving the door open for others.
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Author: Raymond Beyda
Keywords: Wipeout, Utter destruction, Annihilation, utterly destroy, utterly destroyed, exterminate, extermination, destroy utterly, total destruction, totally wipe out, wipe out, wipe out the Amalekites, totally destroy, ethnic cleansing, wiping out the Amalekites, racism, wipe out the memory, wipe out the memory of Amalek, Amalek, Chutzpah, having the nerve, audacity, disobedient to parents
Bible reference(s): Exo 17:8-16, Num 13:29, Num 14:25, Deuteronomy 25:17-18, Judges 3:13, Judges 5:14, Judges 6:3, Judges 6:33, Judges 7:12, Judges 10:12, Judges 12:15, 1 Samuel 14:48, 1 Samuel 15:2, 1 Samuel 15:3, 1 Samuel 15:5, 1 Samuel 15:6, 1 Samuel 15:7, 1 Samuel 15:8-9, 1 Samuel 15:15, 1 Samuel 15:18, 1 Samuel 15:20, 1 Samuel 15:32-33, 1 Samuel 27:8, 1 Samuel 28:18, 1 Samuel 30:1, 1 Samuel 30:13, 1 Samuel 30:18, 2 Samuel 1:1, 2 Samuel 1:8, 2 Samuel 1:13, 2 Samuel 8:12, 1 Chronicles 1:36, 1 Chronicles 4:43, 1 Chronicles 18:11, Psalms 83:7, Rom 1:30, 2Ti 3:1-4
Source: “Wipeout,” Hamodia, March 9, 2017.
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