Notable Sources
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Remembering AmalekTANAKH
Remembering Amalek
TANAKH
The Torah commands us to remember and ultimately blot out the memory of Amalek, highlighting their cowardly attack on the Israelites and the divine mandate to ensure their complete eradication. In Deuteronomy, Moses recounts the attack by Amalek on the Israelites and emphasizes the importance of erasing their memory once the Israelites are settled in their promised land.
Yehoshua's Unexpected LeadershipCOMMENTARY
Yehoshua's Unexpected Leadership
COMMENTARY
Yehoshua's sudden emergence as a leader in the battle against Amalek is both unexpected and significant. Rabbi Francis Nataf explores the unique command given to Yehoshua by God through Moshe and the peculiar timing of his name change.
Divine Justice Against AgagSECOND TEMPLE
Divine Justice Against Agag
SECOND TEMPLE
The immediate and personal retribution against Agag by Samuel underscores the divine justice for the suffering caused to the Hebrew mothers. Josephus, in his first-century historical work, provides a detailed account of this event, highlighting its significance in Jewish history.
The Swift Attack of AmalekTARGUM
The Swift Attack of Amalek
TARGUM
The supernatural speed and distance covered by Amalek to attack Israel, and the specific vulnerability of the tribe of Dan due to their engagement in idolatry, offer a unique perspective on this biblical event. The Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, an Aramaic translation and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible, provides a detailed account of Amalek's attack on the Israelites, emphasizing the historical enmity between Esau and Jacob's descendants.
Divine Retribution Against AmalekMIDRASH
Divine Retribution Against Amalek
MIDRASH
The principle of divine retribution is vividly illustrated through the fate of Amalek, showing that those who harm Israel will ultimately face the same fate. The Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, an ancient midrash from the land of Israel on the book of Exodus, explores the concept of divine justice against Israel's enemies.
Empathy in the Face of AdversityTALMUD
Empathy in the Face of Adversity
TALMUD
Moses chose to sit on a rock during the war with Amalek to empathize with the suffering of the Jewish people. The Talmud in Tractate Taanit discusses the importance of communal solidarity and shared suffering.
The Flawed Repentance of King SaulJEWISH THOUGHT
The Flawed Repentance of King Saul
JEWISH THOUGHT
King Saul's repentance for his failure to fully eradicate Amalek was flawed, driven more by a desire for honor than true remorse. Rabbi Joseph Albo, in Sefer HaIkkarim, explores how Saul's acknowledgment of his sin lacked genuine contrition and did not meet the criteria for true repentance.
Women and Parashat ZakhorHALAKHAH
Women and Parashat Zakhor
HALAKHAH
The debate among Jewish legal decisors about whether women are obligated to hear Parashat Zakhor raises important questions about gender roles in religious obligations. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, in his contemporary presentation of Jewish law, Peninei Halakhah, explores the connection between the mitzva to remember and the mitzva to eradicate Amalek, and whether it is a time-bound mitzva.
Moses' Spiritual Insight in the Battle with AmalekKABBALAH
Moses' Spiritual Insight in the Battle with Amalek
KABBALAH
Moses recognized the supernatural forces aiding Amalek and chose Joshua to lead the battle, showcasing his spiritual insight and wisdom. The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, offers a mystical commentary on the Torah, particularly the Book of Exodus.
Remembering Through ActionMUSAR
Remembering Through Action
MUSAR
The commandment to remember Amalek is not just about recalling an event but involves physical acts that serve as memory aids. Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz, in his 17th-century work Shenei Luchot HaBerit, explains how Jewish commandments involving memory are supported by tangible actions, such as the reading of Parashat Zachor in conjunction with Purim.
Empowerment and LeadershipCOMMENTARY
Empowerment and Leadership
COMMENTARY
The transition from divine intervention to human initiative is a pivotal moment in Jewish history. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks explores the shift in leadership from Moses to Joshua during the battle against Amalek, emphasizing the empowerment and responsibility of the people.
Three Commandments for a New NationHALAKHAH
Three Commandments for a New Nation
HALAKHAH
Upon entering the Promised Land, the Israelites were commanded to fulfill three specific mitzvot, including the eradication of Amalek. In his 12th-century legal code, Mishneh Torah, Maimonides outlines these foundational commandments that shaped Jewish history and identity.
The Raid on ZiklagTANAKH
The Raid on Ziklag
TANAKH
The Amalekites' raid on Ziklag is a vivid example of their aggression and enmity towards Israel. The Book of Samuel I recounts the moment when David and his men returned to Ziklag to find it raided and burned by the Amalekites.
Joshua's Moral Leadership in BattleMIDRASH
Joshua's Moral Leadership in Battle
MIDRASH
Joshua's humane treatment of his enemies during the battle with Amalek stands in stark contrast to Amalek's cruelty. Louis Ginzberg's early 20th-century work, Legends of the Jews, offers a rich narrative that synthesizes various midrashim and ancient sources into a continuous story.
The Duty in Obligatory WarsGUIDES
The Duty in Obligatory Wars
GUIDES
In obligatory wars mandated by mitzvah, such as the conquest of Eretz Yisrael or battles against Amalek, every individual is required to participate, emphasizing the communal and religious duty of engagement. The Babylonian Talmud differentiates between elective wars and obligatory ones, underscoring that in the latter, including wars against Amalek, universal participation is required, with the anointed priest providing words of encouragement and support to the soldiers.
A Plea for Divine RescueCHASIDUT
A Plea for Divine Rescue
CHASIDUT
The plea for divine intervention against Amalek and Haman reflects the enduring Jewish hope for deliverance from persecution. Rebbe Natan Sternhartz’s prayer invokes the imagery of Haman and Amalek, symbolizing the ultimate evil and the desire for its complete obliteration.