It is a mitzvah to remember what Amalek did to us, as it says, "Remember what Amalek did to you on your way out of Egypt." (Deuteronomy 25:17) And what did they do? "When they encountered you [Hebrew: karcha] on the way, and you were tired and exhausted, they cut off those lagging to your rear, and they did not fear G-d." (ibid., 18) Rashi expounds:
Facing Amalek at Refidim stood Moses, and he appointed Joshua as his commander-in-chief, telling him, "Choose men for us, and prepare for battle against Amalek." (Exodus 17:9) Here, Rashi comments, "Men who are both mighty and G-d fearing, so that their merit will assist us."
Moses, Aaron and Miriam's son Chur, Israel's spiritual and political leadership, ascended to the top of a hill, and "as long as Moses held his hands up, Israel would be winning.... His hands remained steady until sunset." (ibid., 17:11-12) Indeed, Joshua was victorious, as it says, "Joshua was able to break the ranks of Amalek and their allies with the sword." (verse 13)
Our sages ask, "Was it Moses's hands that made or broke the war? Rather, Scripture's point is that as long as Israel gazed upward and subjugated their hearts to their Father in heaven, they were victorious. Otherwise, they were vanquished." (Rosh HaShanah 29a) When Moses would raise his hands towards Heaven, it was a hint to Israel that they were fighting against the profanation of the name of G-d, whose name was part of their own name (Yisrael). When they recognized that they were fighting G-d's battles, they were victorious (see Nefesh HaChaim 2:21).
Today, Hizbullah has attacked the soldiers and civilians of the State of Israel. Its purpose was that of Amalek, to show the world and all of Israel's enemies that it is possible to fight the State of Israel and the unbeaten IDF. Hizbullah wished to explode our image in the eyes of the world, which looks on with astonishment at the rebirth of the Jewish People in their land, fulfillment of the vision of the prophets of Israel - and sees clearly that Israel is the eternal people.
Behind Hizbullah stand the head of Iran and others, whose stated purpose it is to annihilate the State of Israel, precisely the way Haman, Amalek's descendant, did in that same land of Persia 2,500 years ago. Faced with Iran, Hizbullah and all the haters of Israel, we must appoint a political and spiritual leader like Moses, whose "hands were steady." Moses knew how to direct Israel's hearts to their Father in Heaven.
Our people and army must know and recognize that this war concerns the sanctification of G-d's name, and the survival and eternity of the eternal people. They must realize that it is a war against "Amalekites" and "modern-day Hamans," a war of the sons of light against the sons of darkness. We must remember and not forget what that German Amalekite did, may his name and memory be blotted out, in the last generation. We must remember and not forget that "G-d shall be at war with Amalek for all generations." (Exodus 17:16)
Karcha connotes "cold" [kar], as opposed to heat. They cooled you, moderated you to tepidness from seething heat. For all the nations were afraid of waging war against you, until Amalek started, paving the way for others. This is compared with a boiling bath into which no creature could enter. One villain came and leaped into it. Although he was scalded, he cooled it for the others.Amalek was unafraid of harming you.
Facing Amalek at Refidim stood Moses, and he appointed Joshua as his commander-in-chief, telling him, "Choose men for us, and prepare for battle against Amalek." (Exodus 17:9) Here, Rashi comments, "Men who are both mighty and G-d fearing, so that their merit will assist us."
Moses, Aaron and Miriam's son Chur, Israel's spiritual and political leadership, ascended to the top of a hill, and "as long as Moses held his hands up, Israel would be winning.... His hands remained steady until sunset." (ibid., 17:11-12) Indeed, Joshua was victorious, as it says, "Joshua was able to break the ranks of Amalek and their allies with the sword." (verse 13)
Our sages ask, "Was it Moses's hands that made or broke the war? Rather, Scripture's point is that as long as Israel gazed upward and subjugated their hearts to their Father in heaven, they were victorious. Otherwise, they were vanquished." (Rosh HaShanah 29a) When Moses would raise his hands towards Heaven, it was a hint to Israel that they were fighting against the profanation of the name of G-d, whose name was part of their own name (Yisrael). When they recognized that they were fighting G-d's battles, they were victorious (see Nefesh HaChaim 2:21).
Today, Hizbullah has attacked the soldiers and civilians of the State of Israel. Its purpose was that of Amalek, to show the world and all of Israel's enemies that it is possible to fight the State of Israel and the unbeaten IDF. Hizbullah wished to explode our image in the eyes of the world, which looks on with astonishment at the rebirth of the Jewish People in their land, fulfillment of the vision of the prophets of Israel - and sees clearly that Israel is the eternal people.
Behind Hizbullah stand the head of Iran and others, whose stated purpose it is to annihilate the State of Israel, precisely the way Haman, Amalek's descendant, did in that same land of Persia 2,500 years ago. Faced with Iran, Hizbullah and all the haters of Israel, we must appoint a political and spiritual leader like Moses, whose "hands were steady." Moses knew how to direct Israel's hearts to their Father in Heaven.
Our people and army must know and recognize that this war concerns the sanctification of G-d's name, and the survival and eternity of the eternal people. They must realize that it is a war against "Amalekites" and "modern-day Hamans," a war of the sons of light against the sons of darkness. We must remember and not forget what that German Amalekite did, may his name and memory be blotted out, in the last generation. We must remember and not forget that "G-d shall be at war with Amalek for all generations." (Exodus 17:16)