This week we read Parshat Zachor - All men and women are commanded to remember what Amalek perpetrated against the Jewish nation while they were in the Midbar. We know that the Purim story is intricately related in that Haman was a descendant of Amalek whose life was spared by Shaul. Actions done in the past have long lasting results. The Amelekim appear to reemerge in our collective history from generation to generation. They are the paradigm of irrational and intense hatred of Jews that echoes throughout history, from Titus to Hitler, to homegrown terrorists. And while we may no longer have the obligation to exact physical vengeance on other people., we are asked to remember, and learn lessons of morality, justice, goodness and trust in Hakadosh Baruch Hu.
One of the explanations as to why Amalekim thought they had the upper hand is because they began with the stragglers, the people at the back of the camp, the ones that perhaps didn’t feel they were part of the community. The passuk reads “asher korcha baderech”. This may be interpreted as that it was by “chance”- b’mikreh- that they happened upon the Jews. There is another interpretation that “Korcha” has the root word of cold “Kar”. Those Jews who were not feeling the warmth of yiddishkeit, perhaps they were doing the mitzvot but without hitlahavut, intense feelings, without the simcha, those were the ones susceptible to being harmed by our enemies.
What we are asked to remember is that Hakadosh Baruch Hu is indeed the Master of the Universe, and He is in control of our destinies. Yes, we are all concerned about the newest enemy of the people, the Coronavirus, but there is only so much in our hands (like washing them and washing them again). The rest is in G-d’s hands. Nevertheless, we should be scrupulous in maintaining our physical and spiritual health. Follow the guidelines sent out by the local synagogues and health departments. And daven, pray that this pandemic ends quickly without victims, pray that the labs find an antidote quickly, pray for the health of our families and communities and then thank Hashem for all the goodness of everyday life.
Shabbat Shalom
Rochelle Brand, Ed.D
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