12 Questions
What is the significance of Amalek's actions when it says in the Torah that they chanced upon you, according to Rashi's explanation?
It is a language of chance, implying that they randomly attacked the weak and weary.
What is the alternative explanation for the phrase 'when they chanced upon you' in verse 18?
It is a language of 'making cold', meaning that Amalek cooled the heat of Israel's passion and strength.
What is the symbolism of the boiling bath in Rashi's explanation?
It represents the fear and intimidation that Israel inspired in other nations, which Amalek's actions helped to dissipate.
What is the significance of Amalek's striking down the 'appendage' in the pasuk?
It refers to the severing of the circumcision, a symbol of Israel's covenant with God.
What accusation does Hitler make in the passage in Mein Kampf, about the Jews?
He accuses the Jews of inflicting 'two wounds' on humanity: circumcision and conscience.
What is the significance of Hitler's reference to 'barbarians' in Mein Kampf?
It is an 'honoured title' to him, implying a pride in German militarism and aggression.
What is the implication of Hitler's statement that the 'war for domination of the world is waged only between the two of us, between these two camps alone, the Germans and the Jews'?
It suggests that the struggle between Germans and Jews is a fundamental and existential conflict.
What biblical imperative is commanded in verse 19, and how does it relate to the concept of remembrance and commemoration?
The biblical imperative is to obliterate the memory of Amalek, implying that the very existence of Amalek should be erased from human memory, including their possessions, so that the name 'Amalek' is never remembered.
How does Rashi's explanation of 'chanced upon' in the Torah affect the moral character of Amalek's actions?
Rashi's explanation implies that Amalek's actions were deliberate and calculating, rather than mere chance, which makes their actions even more reprehensible and morally repugnant.
What symbolic significance can be inferred from the 'appendage' struck down by Amalek, and how does it relate to their rejection of G-d?
The 'appendage' refers to the circumcision, which represents the covenant between the Jews and G-d, implying that Amalek's actions symbolize a rejection of G-d's authority and a defiance of His commandments.
How does Hitler's perception of the Jews in Mein Kampf relate to Amalek's actions in the biblical narrative?
Hitler's demonization of the Jews, portraying them as responsible for the 'wounds' of circumcision and conscience, mirrors Amalek's rejection of G-d and their attack on the Jewish people, highlighting the recurring pattern of anti-Semitic hatred and violence.
How does the concept of 'cooling' in the alternative explanation of Rashi relate to the psychological and emotional impact of Amalek's actions?
The concept of 'cooling' suggests that Amalek's actions had a moderating effect on the fear and awe that other nations had towards the Jews, implying that Amalek's cruelty emboldened others to attack and diminished the Jews' sense of security and protection.
Study Notes
Amalek's Actions Against Israel
- Amalek attacked Israel when they were weak and tired, striking down the feeble ones behind them.
- This attack showed that Amalek had no fear of God.
- Amalek's actions were comparable to someone jumping into a boiling bath, cooling it down for others to follow.
Rashi's Explanation
- Rashi interprets the phrase "when they chanced upon you" as a language of chance or making cold.
- Amalek's actions cooled Israel's fervor, making them tepid, and paved the way for other nations to attack.
The Command to Eradicate Amalek
- The Israelites are commanded to obliterate the memory of Amalek from the earth.
- This includes men, women, children, and even animals, to ensure that the name "Amalek" is never remembered.
Hitler's Mein Kampf
- Hitler referred to himself and the Germans as barbarians, taking pride in the title.
- He claimed that the Jews had inflicted two wounds on humanity: circumcision on the body and conscience on the soul.
- Hitler believed that the war for world domination was between the Germans and the Jews, and that everything else was deception.
Amalek's Actions Against Israel
- Amalek attacked Israel when they were weak and tired, striking down the feeble ones behind them.
- This attack showed that Amalek had no fear of God.
- Amalek's actions were comparable to someone jumping into a boiling bath, cooling it down for others to follow.
Rashi's Explanation
- Rashi interprets the phrase "when they chanced upon you" as a language of chance or making cold.
- Amalek's actions cooled Israel's fervor, making them tepid, and paved the way for other nations to attack.
The Command to Eradicate Amalek
- The Israelites are commanded to obliterate the memory of Amalek from the earth.
- This includes men, women, children, and even animals, to ensure that the name "Amalek" is never remembered.
Hitler's Mein Kampf
- Hitler referred to himself and the Germans as barbarians, taking pride in the title.
- He claimed that the Jews had inflicted two wounds on humanity: circumcision on the body and conscience on the soul.
- Hitler believed that the war for world domination was between the Germans and the Jews, and that everything else was deception.
Quiz about the Torah's account of Amalek's actions against the Israelites. Learn about the biblical story and its significance.
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