This week's Maftir of parshat Zachor - "Remember, do not forget, that which Amalek did to you" - is, arguably, the most important Torah-reading of the year, incumbent upon all to hear. Just what is so crucial about it?
Let us first examine the nature of Haman, Amalek's infamous descendant. The Gemara (Chulin 139) asks: "Where do find a hint to Haman in the Torah?" Answer: In the verse, "Hamin haetz asher tziviticha l'vilti achol mimenu, achalta?" ("Have you eaten from the tree which you were commanded not to eat from?"; Bereishit 3:11). The Gemara connects the word "Hamin" to Haman, as they use the same three letters - heh, mem, nun sofit.
But what is the connection between Adam's sin of eating from the Tree of Knowledge and the evil Haman?
Adam owned everything and was master of all beings - except HaShem. To remind Adam that - great as he was - he was still subservient to his Creator, G-d gave him a simple command. One thing he could not do. Yet Adam, not content with his vast power, wanted more, wanted that which he could not have.
Haman, too, had it all: vast wealth, many children in high places (no pun intended), second only to the king. But that wasn't enough for him. Because one man - Mordechai - would not bow down to him, he risked everything to get total, complete power. Like Adam, he was not content with all he had and so, he lost everything - even his life.
One of the central obligations of a Jew is to recognize all the manifold gifts we receive from HaShem every single day: health, sight, food, a home, peace, opportunity. We have the sacred obligation of zachor, to consciously bring to mind all the b'rachot that a generous G-d grants us on a perpetual basis.
At the same time, we must also observe al tishkach - do not forget - that we are not all-powerful, nor all self-sustaining; we depend on HaShem. Yes, we must be cognizant of our good fortune, but we must also admit our limitations. And, ultimately, be content with what we have.
Thus, the two-sided, dual command of "remember, do not forget."
We have a great expression in English, which we probably fail to fully appreciate: "If memory serves me correctly...." If memory truly does serve us well, it will increase our gratitude and love for HaShem and all He gives us - making us both humble and proud, all at the same time.
Happy Purim!
Let us first examine the nature of Haman, Amalek's infamous descendant. The Gemara (Chulin 139) asks: "Where do find a hint to Haman in the Torah?" Answer: In the verse, "Hamin haetz asher tziviticha l'vilti achol mimenu, achalta?" ("Have you eaten from the tree which you were commanded not to eat from?"; Bereishit 3:11). The Gemara connects the word "Hamin" to Haman, as they use the same three letters - heh, mem, nun sofit.
But what is the connection between Adam's sin of eating from the Tree of Knowledge and the evil Haman?
Adam owned everything and was master of all beings - except HaShem. To remind Adam that - great as he was - he was still subservient to his Creator, G-d gave him a simple command. One thing he could not do. Yet Adam, not content with his vast power, wanted more, wanted that which he could not have.
Haman, too, had it all: vast wealth, many children in high places (no pun intended), second only to the king. But that wasn't enough for him. Because one man - Mordechai - would not bow down to him, he risked everything to get total, complete power. Like Adam, he was not content with all he had and so, he lost everything - even his life.
One of the central obligations of a Jew is to recognize all the manifold gifts we receive from HaShem every single day: health, sight, food, a home, peace, opportunity. We have the sacred obligation of zachor, to consciously bring to mind all the b'rachot that a generous G-d grants us on a perpetual basis.
At the same time, we must also observe al tishkach - do not forget - that we are not all-powerful, nor all self-sustaining; we depend on HaShem. Yes, we must be cognizant of our good fortune, but we must also admit our limitations. And, ultimately, be content with what we have.
Thus, the two-sided, dual command of "remember, do not forget."
We have a great expression in English, which we probably fail to fully appreciate: "If memory serves me correctly...." If memory truly does serve us well, it will increase our gratitude and love for HaShem and all He gives us - making us both humble and proud, all at the same time.
Happy Purim!