March 6, 2009 (Rabbi Finkelstein)
Tetzaveh - Parshat zachor
On the Shabbat before Purim, it is customary to read the selection from the end of Deuteronomy that cautions us to remember Amalek's unprovoked attack on the people of Israel as they were journeying to the Promised Land. We are also commanded to erase the memory of Amalek from underneath the heavens, and not to forget.
In modern times, we cannot engage in a campaign to 'wipe out' perceived enemies on the pretext that these are wannabee Amalekites. The Minchat Chinuch writes that this mitzvah is moot today, as we do not know who the Amalekites are and where to find them. Apparaently, the Amalekites have disappeared off the face of the earth.
Today we are witnesses to a virulent rise of anti-Semitism on the university campuses of our country in the guise of anti-Zionism. Jewish students are subjected to all kinds of abuse, be it in the form of intimidation, campus conflict and the like. The very thought that Israeli soldiers can be depicted as Nazis by certain groups on campus should remind us that Amlek still lives, although not literally.
We celebrate Purim to mark our victory over the ancient Amalekite, Haman, who plotted to annihilate the Jewish people in the ancient Persian empire. But Purim also serves as a reminder to us that anti-Semitism is far from dead, and that like the Jews of Shushan, we must remain vigilant in our fight against those who wish us harm.
On the Shabbat before Purim, it is customary to read the selection from the end of Deuteronomy that cautions us to remember Amalek's unprovoked attack on the people of Israel as they were journeying to the Promised Land. We are also commanded to erase the memory of Amalek from underneath the heavens, and not to forget.
In modern times, we cannot engage in a campaign to 'wipe out' perceived enemies on the pretext that these are wannabee Amalekites. The Minchat Chinuch writes that this mitzvah is moot today, as we do not know who the Amalekites are and where to find them. Apparaently, the Amalekites have disappeared off the face of the earth.
Today we are witnesses to a virulent rise of anti-Semitism on the university campuses of our country in the guise of anti-Zionism. Jewish students are subjected to all kinds of abuse, be it in the form of intimidation, campus conflict and the like. The very thought that Israeli soldiers can be depicted as Nazis by certain groups on campus should remind us that Amlek still lives, although not literally.
We celebrate Purim to mark our victory over the ancient Amalekite, Haman, who plotted to annihilate the Jewish people in the ancient Persian empire. But Purim also serves as a reminder to us that anti-Semitism is far from dead, and that like the Jews of Shushan, we must remain vigilant in our fight against those who wish us harm.