Parshas Ki Seitzei 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- 2 hours ago
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זכור את אשר עשה לך עמלק ... תמחה את זכר עמלק מתחת השמים לא תשכח ... (כה-יז,יט)
Why does the Torah instruct us to remember what Amalek did בלשון יחיד, when in reality all of Klal Yisroel was attacked? Also, when Hashem decided to destroy the דור המבול, it says, "ויאמר ה' אמחה את האדם" - I will erase them. So why, asks R’ Zalman Sorotzkin zt”l (Oznayim L’Torah), regarding Amalek is the task incumbent upon us?
Both questions can be explained with the following idea. Amalek wasn’t a one-time attack. Amalek symbolizes "מדר דר"; that ever-present attack on Klal Yisroel’s spirituality. He’s the archetype villain, היצר הרע, as the posuk clearly states in Yisro, "מלחמה לה' מדר דר". He plans his attacks by studying each person’s weaknesses and accordingly strategizes his battles, cunningly attempting to vanquish each Yid, one by one. Thus, the Torah uses singular form, so that each יחיד be forewarned and prepared to eradicate him. The דור המבול on the other hand wasn’t a יחיד battle, and as such, Hashem Himself did the deed.
The parsha closes with the words "לא תשכח", do not forget. Maybe al pi drush we can say a machshava. Earlier, the Torah teaches the halacha of שכחה. If one forgets a bundle of produce in the field, it must be left for the poor. Rashi says, "שלאחריו שכחה ושלפניו אינו שכחה" ((פסוק י"ט. Only the stalks that you already passed have the din of שכחה and not those you did not yet reach. Perhaps we can say that this teaches how to fight the milchemes hayetzer, AKA Amalek. Don’t forget! But some things should be forgotten. "שלאחריו שכחה" - namely the aveiros that you have committed and already did teshuva for. Don’t let him remind you how “bad” you once were. "ושלפניו אינו שכחה". Only for the future you must stand vigilant, lest you forget and stumble. Amalek will attempt to break you by saying, “Just who do you think you are? You have committed so many hideous aveiros!” Do not listen. Just look forward, not back, and focus on becoming the best you can be. May we be zoche to utilize this Elul to come closer to Hashem and finally witness the death of Amalek when iy”H all will declare "והיה ה' למלך על כל הארץ".