Parshas Zachor
On the Shabbos before Purim we are commanded to remember what Amalek did to us as we were leaving Egypt. The nations of the world feared the Jews after the miracles that G-d wrought for them in Exodus from Egypt. Amalek “came along” and struck the weak from behind, “cooling” the fear that the nations had of Israel.
The Torah commands us to hate Amalek and his descendants and to never forget what that nation did to the Jews until their memory is erased. We read this on the Shabbos before Purim. This connects the commandment to wipe out Amalek to the wiping out of Haman, Amalek’s descendant, in the Purim story.
What is the power of Amalek? Esav had spent his whole life trying to kill Ya’akov, but to no avail. So, he bequeathed the task to his grandson Amalek. Amalek asked his grandfather how he would be able to accomplish what his grandfather had not been able to do. Esav’s answer was, wait until Ya’akov’s descendants sin, then pounce on them.
Israel’s protection against sin is rooted in Torah study. Amalek wants us to be so busy with worldly matters that we neglect our Torah study. When we have serenity of the soul, we recognize that sin is empty. Shabbos is the day of rest for the soul. It is the day that is best suited for fighting and blotting out the memory of Amalek. Shabbos Zachor – remember who you are, and who you are meant to be. Use Shabbos and Torah study to get there. Good Shabbos!