This coming Shabbat is Shabbat Zachor, when we remind ourselves of the ever-present threat of Amalek and the imperative of blotting out this existential threat. Rabbi Wein's devar Torah on this week's parasha is also posted on The Hanassi Blog, here -- but the words that we reproduce below were composed by Rabbi Wein some years ago. They are as current now as they were when he first wrote them.
How to counteract and deal with Amalek has been a continuing
problem throughout Jewish history. Apparently, no satisfactory permanent
solution to the problem has ever been found. Perhaps that in itself is the
basic lesson of the commandment of remembering Amalek. We must remember that
the problem is unceasing and that it has remained insoluble for millennia.
We should not be surprised or even overly discouraged by its
sinister presence in our lives and world today. We must do everything possible
to combat it but we should always remember that it is not given to pat
solutions or wishful thinking. It is apparently part of the Jewish condition—our
very terms of existence.
The story of Purim is the story of Amalek contained, but not
completely defeated or destroyed. Haman is hydra-headed and has always had
disciples and followers. Haman and his sons were thwarted and hanged but that
did not prove to be much of a deterrent to all the Hamans who have followed
throughout history.
In terms of the destruction of Jews, Hitler was far
more successful than was Haman, having killed six million Jews in five years of
hate and terror. Yet Hitler destroyed Germany completely as well, with far more
Germans than Jews being killed in that terrible and tragic war.
So again, one would think that the lesson of Amalek
would have been learned by now. But the reality of Amalek is that it defies
logic, self-interest and history and its lessons. Purim is our only hope in
containing Amalek. Purim is always hidden, unpredictable, surprising and
unexpected. Yet it is also a constant in Jewish life and history.
The survival of the Jewish people remains as the miracle of
all history and that miracle is omnipresent in our current world. The existence
and accomplishments of the State of Israel are offshoots of this constant and
continuing miracle. Israel and its achievements give us a sense of Purim every
day of the year. The miracle may not be superficially visible, but it is
certainly present and alive.
The Talmud's statement about the inability to distinguish
between Haman and Mordechai is indicative of the mystery of Purim. Purim is not
always what it appears to be at first glance. It is the hidden part of Purim
that fascinates and confuses us. Our salvation is always unexpected and many
times defies any form of human wisdom and expertise.
Purim tells us never to despair or lose hope regarding our
current difficulties and uncertain future. It is easy to fall into a funk when
viewing all the difficulties that surround us. Purim preaches to us that such a
dark attitude is inconsistent with Jewish faith and Torah values. That is why
the rabbis stated that Purim is the only eternal holiday on the Jewish
calendar.
We will always need Purim and its message to continue to
function and achieve. For without Purim present and operative, we fall into
fearing that Amalek may yet, God forbid, triumph. So let us rejoice in the
knowledge that Purim is here with us and all will yet be well for the nation
and people of Mordechai and Esther.
Shabbat shalom, Rabbi Berel Wein
