We seem to have forgotten Amalek.
Amalek has not forgotten us.
According to The Bible—Amalek was the grandson of Esau. Esau and Jacob were brothers—sons of Isaac. Jacob became the inheritor of the Blessings of G-d that came to him through his grandfather Abraham and then through his father Isaac.
There is an entire story that details why Jacob received the blessings of both his G-d and the inheritance of his father Isaac. This seems to have been the divine plan even though Esau was the first-born technically. There is a story about the birth that describes why there is some discussion regarding the birth order of these twins. Suffice it to say that Esau was ANGRY that Jacob ended up with both these blessings. I can only imagine that his anger became the psychological “banner” for his family throughout ALL their generations.
Wikipedia on Amalek says:
“According to the Bible [Genesis 36:12], Amalek was the son of Eliphaz (himself the son of Esau [ancestor of the Edomites]) and Eliphaz's concubine Timna. Timna was a Horite and sister of Lotan.[4] Amalek is described as the "chief of Amalek" among the "chiefs of the sons of Esau",[5] from which it is surmised that he ruled a clan or territory named after him.
The Amalekites (/ˈæməlɛkaɪts/[6]) were considered to be Amalek's descendants through the genealogy of Esau.[7]”
History of the Jewish People has been replete with references to peoples who seemed to have a peculiar dispensation toward the destruction of the Jewish People. Groups identified with Amalek include the Romans, Nazis, Stalinists, ISIS, Palestinians and bellicose Iranian leaders such as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. There is also a record in the Book of Esther of the Bible that Haman is a descendant of Amalek.
Again Wikipedia on Haman:
Haman (Hebrew: הָמָן Hāmān; also known as Haman the Agagite) is the main antagonist in the Book of Esther, who according to the Hebrew Bible was an official in the court of the Persian empire under King Ahasuerus, commonly identified as Xerxes I (died 465 BCE) but traditionally equated with Artaxerxes I or Artaxerxes II.[1] As his epithet Agagite indicates, Haman was a descendant of Agag, the king of the Amalekites.
More metaphorically, to some Hasidic rabbis (particularly the Baal Shem Tov), Amalek represents atheism or the rejection of God.
The following bits and pieces are taken from the article: A Lesson From Timna the Concubine by Chana Weisberg;
“If you were to stare evil in the eye, what would you see? What would be its character traits?”
Amalek is “the archetypal enemy of the Jewish people. He is the father of the nation that first waged war against the Jewish people upon their miraculous emergence from their Egyptian bondage.”
“Traditionally, any mortal threat to the Jewish people is referred to as an Amalekite design.”
What are the origins of such a character?
In Genesis 36:12, we are introduced to Amalek's parents. "Timna was a concubine to Elifaz, son of Esau, and she bore Amalek to Elifaz." Some verses later, we are told more about Timna's background. "And the children of Lotan were Hori and Hemam and Lotan's sister was Timna."
We learn that Lotan, Timna's brother is an important person. "These are the chiefs who came of the Horites: the chief Lotan, the chief Shobal, the child Ziboen, etc." Therefore, Elifaz's concubine, Timna, was no common woman, but was the product of a royal family of the Horites.
The Talmud (Sanhedrin 99b) explains that Timna sought to convert to Judaism, but Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob refused to accept her. The Talmud concludes that Timna became a concubine to Elifaz instead, insisting, "It is better to be a maidservant to this nation than to be a princess in any other nation." Elifaz is of the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Esau and being from the seed of Abraham and Sara was considered extremely prestigious. Timna perceived the great respect and honor given to the descedants of Abraham/Sarah and Isaac/Rebecca. She was willing to sacrifice her personal dignity in order to be attached to such a prominent and respected people—even if her connection would be a servile one.
Timna's actions seem so righteous, so altruistic and pure. Why then would she be mother to a child who represents the antithesis of goodness and who is the very paradigm of evil?
Avraham was the ultimate seeker of converts; in fact, that was his stated goal. If our patriarchs rejected Timna, they may have perceived that her motives were insincere. Timna was not searching for G-d, but rather for her personal aggrandizement. Had Timna truly wanted to join a nation serving G-d and following His ways, she would not have "settled" for joining the family of Esau, whose path was the antithesis of the Abrahamitic teachings. Timna desired, rather, to be part of a powerful but not necessarily G-dly or spiritual people.
“She was willing to temporarily sacrifice her personal status, but only for what she perceived as a greater, more fulfilling gratification. Her actions were not about G-d, but entirely about herself. Our perceptive patriarchs realized this and therefore rejected her from joining the nation of G-d.”
“In the era of Redemption, evil will be eradicated and all mankind will be perfected. Only one nation—Amalek—will not be a part of this vision. Their hand is on G-d's throne, G-d shall be at war with Amalek for all generations.
Amalek represents an attitude that is beyond repair because it is the opposite of G-dliness. It is entirely egocentric, even while dressed up as an act of devotion to G-d. These are the seeds that can grow into the most extreme acts of evil fathomable.” This happened on October 7, 2023 when Hamas insurgents swarmed into Israel on a mission of absolute destruction.
The greatest distortion of goodness is an act of malevolence adorned in the religious garb of purity. Selfishness acted out in the noble name of G-d.
Hamas is Amalek. The Jews may not remember Amalek, but Amalek has not forgotten the Jews.
In Parshat Vayishlach
Jacob returns to the Holy Land after a 20-year stay in Charan, and sends angel-emissaries to Esau in hope of a reconciliation, but his messengers report that his brother is on the warpath with 400 armed men. Jacob prepares for war, prays, and sends Esau a large gift (consisting of hundreds of heads of livestock) to appease him.
The Jews of Israel have been trying for decades to accommodate the desires of Amalek (who call themselves Palestinians, though there has NEVER BEEN A NATION OF PALESTINE). This will never prove acceptable to those who say they are Palestinian. This will also never be acceptable to the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. G-d has given this land to the Children of Israel (a name Jacob earned as he returned to the Holy Land before meeting with Esau). Three thousand years ago G-d told Abraham that his children would make their home in this land (Israel). The Children of Israel can not give this land away to anyoine for any reason. This Land of Israel belongs to G-d, and G-d has decreed that B’nei Israel will live in this Holy Land.
Only the Spirit of Amalek would have it otherwise. Do not be Amalek. Esau has been at war with “Israel” [Jacob] all the years of his life, and he passed the hatred on to all his succeeding generations. Do not be Amalek. Believe in G-d. Believe it is true when the Bible says G-d gave this Holy Land to the Children of Israel. Believe in G-d, and not in propaganda. Do not be Amalek.
