Rabbi Howard Morrison

This Shabbat, the Sabbath before Purim, we are commanded to remember and never forget what Amalek did to our people in antiquity. The additional Torah passage we will read specifically states, "Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey, after you left Egypt - how, undeterred by fear of God, he surprised you on the march, when you were famished and weary, and cut down all your stragglers in your rear. . . . Do not forget (Deuteronomy 25:17-19)."

In the Torah passage, Amalek's attack came soon after the miraculous Exodus from Egypt. In the Haftarah, we read about the Amalekite king, Agag, during the reign of king Saul. In the Megillah that we will read next Thursday and Friday, the wicked Haman is called "Haman the Aggagite." Haman was a descendant of the Amalekite king, Agag.

The nationhood of Amalek has indeed been blotted out from history, precisely because our people vowed to remember and not forget their heinous evil. However, the spirit of Amalek still hovers over the world at large. The enemies surrounding Israel exemplify the spirit of Amalek. Hamas's surprise barbaric attack against civilians, babies, elderly, and more on October 7, 2023 is reminiscent of how Amalek attacked the Israelites, as described in this coming Shabbat's additional Torah lesson.

To remember ancient Amalek is not enough. We need to remember, by speaking out and taking action against the spirit of Amalek in our time. 

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Howard Morrison