The brief story of Amalek is perhaps the oddest story in the Five Books of Moses.

Ostensibly, Amalek, whether a terrorist nation or a terrorist who led a nation, truly warrants total destruction. Indeed, the attack by Amalek on the Children of Israel, unsuccessful as it was, was a totally gratuitous effort. Lacking any reason for it, it sought to undermine Israel’s liberation from slavery that had lasted multiple centuries. That said, the destruction of an enemy such as Amalek seems totally appropriate.

Still, it seems, God went so much farther. He told Moses that he would surely “erase the very memory of Amalek from under the heavens.” And Moses added that “the hand is on the throne of God: Hashem maintains a war against Amalek from generation to generation.”

Okay,........

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