BUILDERS HATE WRECKERS
This week we will read two Parshios; the weekly Parsha of Terumah and Parshas Zachor. On the surface there is no connection between these two Parshios, however, upon some thought they compliment each other so perfectly.
Rambam teaches us that the mitzvah to remember what Amalek did to us when we left Egypt is for the expressed purpose of inspiring our hatred towards him. What exactly did he do to us more than any of our other enemies throughout the course of history that earns them such distinct hatred? When Bilam foretells the destiny of the nations he indicates that all nations will survive the ‘end of days’ when the world will achieve its destiny except for the nation of Amalek. Regarding Amalek he states “Amalek was the first to make war against Israel and his destiny will be total decimation.”
Apparently, this unique hatred stems from the fact that he was the first to attack us. If the world hates us and they all try their best to destroy us, why does the first one in line get the distinct hatred, someone has to be first? If he deserves decimation why not the rest?
Let us appreciate what inspired Amalek to attack us. We had just left Egypt. HaShem had just split the Red Sea and the entire world was in absolute awe of the G.D of Israel. They saw the world’s greatest empire brought to its knees and then destroyed before the G.D of Israel. As the Torah teaches us, the nations of the world melted, they were overcome with trembling. There was no thinking person who questioned the Might and Power, the Authority and Control that HaShem had. There was no question that HaShem chose the Children of Israel to carry His Presence through the world. HaShem arrived into this material and His Home was the Jewish nation. The world almost achieved her destiny.
But it was then, specifically at that most dramatic moment that the nation Amalek raised their nasty head. They had no material interest in attacking the Jewish people. They knew that they would lose. They did not think for a moment that their fate would be any better than the Egyptians. So why did they fight? They fought to make a point. Their point was to shatter the fear of G.D that had gripped the world. Amalek’s raison d’être is to erase HaShem from this world. If it means waging a losing battle, so be it. They needed to show the world that the Jewish people are still human beings and if you wish to close your eyes to HaShem’s Existence and HaShem’s Omnipotence, that too is possible.
In this week’s Parsha, Terumah, we are instructed to build a Mishkan in which to house the Presence of HaShem in this world. How does HaShem, Whose Essence is infinite and cannot be subjected to Time or to Space, enter this finite material world? I am not sure of the answer to this question, but to be empowered by HaShem to build His Mishkan is tantamount to bringing Him into this world. That is what we have been commissioned to do!
Can there be a greater connection between these two Parshios? We will first read how we were chosen to create the home for HaShem’s Presence in this world. We will then read how Amalek stands in direct contrast to our mission. He stands to deny HaShem’s existence in this world. Amalek is not merely the first anti-Semite. He is the one who taught the world to reject HaShem’s entry to the world.
The juxtaposition of our two Parshios help inspire us to recognize who we are and who they are and the hatred that must exist if we are to succeed in making this world a home for His Presence.
It is no wonder that once the world will achieve her destiny and the knowledge of HaShem will fill the world like water fills the ocean there will be no space for Amalek. They will have achieved their destiny of total decimation.
Have a very safe and very wonderful Shabbos and an extяemely joyous Puяim.
Paysach Diskind