Shabbat Zachor (Sabbath of Remembrance) is the Shabbat that immediately precedes Purim. On this Shabbat, we conclude the weekly Torah reading with an additional reading, usually from a second Torah scroll from Deuteronomy 25:17-19, which describes the attack of Amalek shortly after the Israelites under the leadership of Moses left Egyptian slavery.[1] Moses commands the people to remember Amalek: “Remember what the Amalekites did to you on the way when you left Egypt weary and worn out from your journey. They attacked all lagging in the rear, without fear of God.”
Amalek’s act was abhorrent, disgusting, and inhuman, and the Torah instructs Jews to remember. And we do so always, especially on Shabbat Zachor. Why should we remember Amalek?
Zachor is used in different ways
The Hebrew verb zachor, “remember,” appears 169 times in the Torah. What action does it require of us?
Sometimes, Zachor may appear insignificant, such as when the Bible states in three verses in Genesis that God remembered Noah, Abraham and his nephew Lot, and the matriarch wife of Jacob, Rachel.
At other times, it seems significant, even exceptionally so, when it tells us to treat strangers as we want them to treat us because “we must remember that we were strangers in Egypt.” Also, when it states, “Remember the days of old,” “Remember what Amalek did,” and “Remember the seventh day to keep it holy.”
But with a bit of thought, we will come to realize that each instance of its appearance in the Bible is a religious obligation for Jews, and each is significant.
Once we recall Maimonides’s teaching in his Guide for the Perplexed, whenever the Torah states that God did something, we should understand that God was not the immediate cause. The act is attributed to God because God created the laws of nature, which was the direct cause. Thus, we should understand that when the Torah states that God remembered our ancestors, it is saying that when God created the laws of nature, He arranged that they would help people if they learned how to use them properly.
This is why we thank God for our food and the many other things God provided.
The difference between remembering and history
Memory is personal. It is something we keep in our minds. History is recollections we place in books. We put history books on our shelves, forgetting about them or referring to them when needed. Being required to remember compels us never to forget.
What is the Torah telling us to learn from the Amalek attack?
A friend once asked me, “Are we required to hate Amalek, the Nazis, Hammas, and all groups that threaten Jews?” I replied, “No. We should never hate. Hatred hurts the person it is directed at and the person who does the hating.”
The proper behavior in all instances is to treat others as you want them to treat you.
This is the message of Shabbat Zachor. Amalek attacked the weary Israelites because of hatred. Jews must remember that this hatred led to the loss of lives. We need to keep this lesson in mind always and never hate others.
[1] No proof exists of when the practice of Shabbat Zachor started, but it is clear that it is not biblical. There is no requirement to use a second scroll. It is used when the congregation does not want to take the time to roll the Torah scroll from the weekly portion in Exodus to Deuteronomy.
Requirement to hate to win war?
Dear Israel,
How do u feel about need the hate to survive to win wars?
If you do not hate ur enemy you do not have enough resolve to kill your enemy and he will kill, rape, and steal from your peoples.
You do not need to hate to protect yourself. Waging war with hate often causes the hate to remain even after winning a war.
Is hatred of people a necessary evil for people?
Do we need to hate people to live in a society?
For instance, if we don’t hate murderers and rapists and we let them go free we are the ones commiting a crime letting evil people go free.
We should never hate.
Thank you for reminding me.
I understand now we’re all descendant of humans
“This is the message of Shabbat Zachor. Amalek attacked the weary Israelites because of hatred. Jews must remember that this hatred led to the loss of lives. We need to keep this lesson in mind always and never hate others.”
I agree with this. Additionally, I understand that the command to wipe out Amalek is in the plain meaning of Scripture intended to be metaphoric and not literal since the command is to wipe out the memory of Amalek and not to wipe out the Amalakites. Amalek is metaphorically described as the symbolic of evil. Besides, God cannot command us to eradicate the Amalakites forever since the Amalakites no longer exist. Rather, the command is to overcome evil symbolized metaphorically by Amalek (since evil is eternal and will never disappear from the world and since all humans will forever have an “evil” inclination).
“A friend once asked me, “Are we required to hate Amalek, the Nazis, Hamas, and all groups that threaten Jews?” I replied, “No. We should never hate. Hatred hurts the person it is directed at and the person who does the hating.”
I agree with this also. According to Rav Kook, we are forbidden to hate any human being including Hitler or terrorists. We can only hate their behavior, which is evil and not them as a person. The reason is because all humans, yes, even humans who do immense evil and cruel acts, are created in the image of God. Additionally, there can be no such thing as a creature that is created by God who is not good.
It is also not logical to build up anger and hatred for others. For if he hate someone or a group of people we only harm ourselves with our thoughts in causing constant unrest, without this being harmful in the least to the other, so long as one does not put one’s thoughts into words or deeds. And if one thinks evil of someone for a hundred years, that would not harm him in the least. Because nobody knows what someone else thinks of him, be it good or evil, and what they do not know will not harm them. One can, however, harm oneself with thoughts by continuously and without reason wishing ill in one’s heart through hate, anger and jealousy, needlessly torturing one’s own mind. Therefore, it is not rational to have an irrational hatred.
Beautiful and truthful thoughts. We agree my friend.
Excellent insights from Turk Hill 1
Excellent analysis!
The Torah’s message, as you so eloquently put it, dear Rabbi Israel Drazin, is that we should not reciprocate hatred with hatred. Rather, we should strive to emulate the divine attribute of mercy and compassion, treating others as we would wish to be treated ourselves. This is the essence of the Golden Rule.
By remembering the lessons of Amalek, we are reminded of the importance of self-reflection and moral accountability. We must recognize that our actions have consequences, not just for others, but also for ourselves. As you said, “Hatred hurts the person it is directed at and the person who does the hating.” By letting go of hatred and embracing kindness, we can create a more just and compassionate world.
Shabbat Zachor, the Sabbath of Remembrance, serves as a poignant reminder of these timeless truths. May we always remember to treat others with the dignity and respect that we ourselves desire, and may we never forget the lessons of our people’s history, that we may build a brighter future for all. Best: stephen
You capture our idea beautifully.