Parshat Zachor

This Shabbat is Parshat Zachor. We have an obligation to hear the Torah reading that commands us to blot out the memory of Amalek.

The question that is asked is that there seems to be a paradox in this reading. On the one hand, we are told to remember what Amalek did to us when we left Egypt. We are then then told to blot out the memory of Amalek.

If we successfully blot out their memory, then we would no longer remember them! The answer that is given is that we are to remember their action of evil by their attacking the weak and the tired. This way we can recognize and eliminate their ideology of coldness and apathy that they represent.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe once said that everyone has a small amount of Amalek in them. The symptom of this is when one gets a burst of energy to start a project, and is then overcome by cold feelings of laziness.

The cure is to work daily at pushing past inner cynicism, and reclaiming enthusiasm.

The battle with Amalek is a battle against evil and self doubt. Purim is the holiday that celebrates the victory of overcoming the challenges represented by Amalek. Mordechai and Esther succeeded in waging war against Haman, the Amelekite enemy of the Jewish people. It is our duty to remember that this battle continues until today. With Hashem’s help, we, too, will win this battle.