Balak Plus Bilaam Equals Amalek

At the end of this week’s Parsha, בשלח, we are introduced to Amalek for the first time. They attacked Israel before the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. The Netivot Shalom makes a point as to Amalek’s overall motivation. They wished to defile Israel and prevent her from achieving her ultimate goal in the world of תיקון עולם, everlasting completion. This idea is hinted to with the words, אשר קרך, that although the word, קרך, means by chance, it could also hint to קרי, which is a type of defilement. The Netivot Shalom also points out that the names בלק and בלעם, have all the letters in the name, עמלק. It was their strategy to weaken Israel with the daughters of Midian. So we see that the battle with Amalek, is an ongoing battle to maintain the special sanctity of the Jewish people.