“Remember/Zachor” is one of the strongest Hebrew imperatives. Usually today we think of it in connection to the Holocaust – a Jewish duty to keep alive the memory of the 6 million and to never let the Nazis win posthumously. As Elie Wiesel said, “not to remember is not an option.” I mention this as we head into Shabbat Zachor, our Shabbat of remembrance. This is the Shabbat before Purim where we read in the Torah the story of Amalek, a nation that once attacked the Israelites from behind where the young and the old were marching, hitting us where we were most vulnerable. It tells us in Deuteronomy: “wipe out the memory of Amalek from under Heaven – you shall not forget!”
Whether it is in the guise of Pharaoh or Amalek, evil has existed and always will exist in this world. It is our duty as a Jewish community to be hyper vigilant and not run away from our responsibility to confront evil. Haman, who is a descendant of King Agag from the Book of Samuel, who himself is a descendant of Amalek, is a reminder of how sneaky evil can be, lying in wait to try to destroy us. Our booing on Purim is meant to inspire us to not be afraid. For as much evil exists, good does as well. Esther and Mordecai are never far behind to protect us. I leave you with one last Elie Wiesel quote: “Because I remember I despair. Because I remember, I have a duty to reject despair.”
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Purim Sameach,
Rabbi Alex
Last Updated on 03/10/2017 by wpadm