Amalek: Sacrifice for Evil

Rabbi Yehoishophot Oliver

(Continued from here.)

The trait of Amalek is different and far worse than the seven negative traits, for although those traits entice one to selfishly indulge in forbidden pleasures, they don’t intend to oppose Hashem, but merely to satisfy their desires.

As explained, someone who indulges his negative emotions in sin is being seized with a “spirit of foolishness.” He is not consciously denying the importance of obeying Hashem. Rather, he has temporarily lost his mind, making him do various idiotic things and even act like a degenerate. However, when his intellect regains control and he realizes his foolishness, he will overcome his desires and refrain from such behavior.

In contrast, the trait of Amalek doesn’t seek pleasure and indulgence.

On the contrary, the Midrash states:[1]

To what is the incident [of Amalek] comparable? To a boiling tub of water which no being was able to enter. Along came one ruffian and jumped into it. Although he was burned, he cooled it down for the others. So, too, when Israel came out of Egypt, and Hashem split the sea before them and drowned the Egyptians within it, the fear of them fell upon all the nations. But when Amalek came and challenged them, although he received his due from them, he cooled the awe of the nations of the world for them.

Thus, just as one who jumps into boiling water gets burnt but does so in order to cool it off for others, so was Amalek willing to suffer and sacrifice in order to accomplish their evil agenda of opposing Hashem.

And so is it with the Amalek within: It doesn’t seek pleasure but the opposite, it is even willing to bring suffering and misery upon the person in pursuit of its goal.

Amalek and Chutzpah

This inner ability to irrationally oppose Hashem despite full knowledge of His greatness stems from an intense egotism and arrogance, which manifests itself in chutzpah, audacity.

This can be compared to a lowly person who challenges a man of very great stature. Although he is fully aware of his own lowliness and the man’s greatness, and even of his own dependence on the great man, and that the great man is in the right, not only does he not humble himself before him, but he opposes him brazenly. Such is the chutzpah of the nation of Amalek and of the inner Amalek.

There is a mitzvah to wipe out members of the ancient nation of Amalek, as it is written of Amalek, “erase the memory of Amalek”[2] and “his end is to be destroyed.”[3]

Likewise, the character trait of brazen opposition to the truth of Hashem is evil and irredeemable and must therefore be eradicated completely.

There is a Talmudic discussion about how to render vessels made of various substances fit for use if they have come in contact with forbidden food. This can be done in various ways, such as by being immersed in boiling water (hagalah), or being placed in fire (libun). However, “an earthenware vessel—its destruction is its rectification.”[4] This expression is borrowed and applied with regard to the nation of Amalek and the inner Amalek—it cannot be elevated, it must be destroyed.

Based on the Rebbe Rashab’s Sefer Hamaamarim 5643, 5644, 5645, p. 305 ff.; Sefer Hamaamarim 5654, p. 196 ff., p. 337 ff.

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[1] Tanchuma, Ki Teitzei 9.

[2] Devarim 25:19.

[3] Bamidbar 24:20.

[4] Keilim 2:1.