[MS: In recent Sefaria Sheets about Purim 2025 and Parshas Zachor, I suggested an interpretation of Deuteronomy 25:17-19 that resolves the confusion in it concerning three terms: "remember", "remembrance" and "don't forget".
It is my own interpretation and I hope this Sheet causes a productive discussion among Sefaria participants. Perhaps it is wrong - I have not found exact precedents for it yet in traditional sources. But I am not a scholar or even an advanced user of Sefaria's vast library. This reading is a "close reading" of the verse itself. My resolution of the confused terms is based, in my opinion, on the Hebrew itself - as Robert Alter has translated it - and follows his Notes on related verses. But it is my own opinion. I welcome a debate about it.
The key insight is this: In every generation the new Amalek will arise that will engage in "Remembering Amalek" in order to glorify it, much like Jew-haters recall the glory of Hitler and of the Nazi regime's principles and its war against the Jews.
In the verse, Jews are warned to remember that Amalek is a monster of murder and deception. So are its followers in each generation. My prior Sheets detail this parsing of the verse.
It is not Hamas alone that glorifies the ways of Amalek. The United Nations - in one of the greatest deceptions in its sad history - continues to glorify Hamas in support of its crusade and to join in by accusing Jews and Israel of Nazi-like genocide. The headline today: "UN accuses Israel of destroying 'reproductive capacity of Palestinians' in the Gaza Strip" is insane. See the link below.
Soon perhaps, Hamas and the UN's deceptions will say: "The Jews are Amalek! Remember the Jews' odious ways! Amalek (ie Jews) must be blotted out."
Jews, therefore, learn from Purim and Zachor to oppose this kind of false "remembering" done in order to glorify Amalek. Jews do not forget the verse, the history and what Amalek is.]
News:
Jerusalem Report is here - Link
MS Sheets-
See in the Robert Alter - Collection of MS Sefaria Sheets: Amalek and Hamas' Murders of the Bibas Family - Parshas Zachor - How to Read Deuteronomy 25:17-19 Without Confusion - Fight Back Against Those Who Are "Remembering Amalek" to Glorify It's Monstrosity and Deceit
Robert Alter - Purim - Parshat Zachor - Do Not Glorify Amalek - The Bibas Family Tragedy |
Sefaria - See Collection of Sheets Robert Alter -MS Sefaria - 70 Sheets on his methods and essays.
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Revised March 14, 2025 Purim.