We have faced Amaleks like Putin forever, but with morality we can prevail J. – The Jewish News of Northern California
Posted By admin on September 9, 2022
TheTorah columnis supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek in memory of Kenneth Gordon.Ki TeitzeiDeuteronomy 21:1025:19
As the years go on, it becomes more and more clear that Russian President Vladimir Putin is evil.
Putins decision to invade Ukraine has led to the displacement of millions of Ukrainians, cities being razed, a mounting casualty count and reports of war crimes by the Russian military. Of course, Putins brutality predates his invasion of Ukraine. He previously led horrible wars in Chechnya and Georgia, and his support for the Syrian dictator Bashar Al Assad has kept another brutal leader in power.
In this weeks Torah portion Ki Teitzei, we read about Amalek, the perennial enemy of the Jewish people who attacked the vulnerable, famished and weary stragglers among those who were fleeing Egypt.
One can attempt to psychoanalyze Putin and learn about his obsession with Russian nationalism, but his disregard for basic ethical standards makes him a modern-day Amalek.
Amalek is identified in our portion as lo yirah elohim, someone who doesnt revere God (Deuteronomy 25:18). As the Torah empresses upon us, Elohim is a God of morality, a God who at the pivotal moment of revelation offers the people Israel the Ten Commandments an ethical code. By impressing upon us that Amalek not only attacks the innocent but also rejects Elohim, our portion depicts Amalek as a character who rejects morality.
These verses from our portion go on to instruct us on how to respond to Amalek. Deuteronomy 25:19 tells us that when we enter the promised land and God grants us safety from all of our enemies, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!
The wide sweep of Jewish commentary on these verses offers invaluable wisdom on how to respond to contemporary Amaleks.
To begin with, the Jewish tradition at an early point dismisses the idea that Amalek refers to any specific ethnic group. The rabbis of the Talmud argued in Berakhot 28a that it was no longer possible to determine who was descended from Amalek.
Amalek therefore endured in Jewish consciousness as a perennial foe who disregards morality. By being commanded to remember Amalek, we are taught to always be vigilant against the human propensity toward evil.
This offers us a useful lesson. With Putin and his invasion of Ukraine thousands of miles away, we are called on to remain vigilant even if the fighting does not immediately affect us.
There is also a strain in our tradition articulated most notably by the medieval commentator Nachmanides (Rambam) and by the Hasidic Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev that we are to internalize this commandment to wipe out Amalek. The Berdichever Rebbe wrote, each Jew has to wipe out that negative part that is called Amalek hidden in his or her heart.
We can learn from the Berdichever Rebbe to respond to the evil of the Putins of the world by filling the world with righteousness.
But I find the most compelling lesson for our times comes from the story of how the Israelites defeated Amalek originally.
The battle against the Amalekites first appears in Exodus 17. When Moses holds up his arms, the people Israel prevail in battle against the Amelikites, but when he tires and lowers his arms, the Amelikites gain the upper hand. And so Aaron and Hur hold up Moses hands and the people Israel prevail.
This story has tremendous symbolic power. It is only by partnering with Elohim, this God who is so concerned with morality, and collectively holding up Moses arms that we can prevail against Amalek.
This teaches us that human partnership and faith in the ultimate triumph of morality will be the way to defeat the Amaleks of the world.
How does this apply to Putin? Even for those of us who are not directly affected by Putins misdeeds, watching the consequences of his actions can take a psychic toll. We can feel helpless before the ongoing nihilism and violence.
But perhaps this image from the Book of Exodus can offer us hope. We have faced Amaleks for our entire existence. Our tradition teaches us to believe that by partnering with others who believe in the importance of a moral world order, we can ultimately prevail.
View post:
- Jewish Encyclopedia : Talmud - JewishEncyclopedia.com [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Talmud - New World Encyclopedia - Info:Main Page - New ... [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Succah page 54 Gemarrah Succot Rabbi Weisblum " - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Succah page 55 Gemarrah Succot Rabbi Weisblum " - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Succah page 52 Gemarrah Succot Rabbi Weisblum " - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Succah page 53 Gemarrah Succot Rabbi Weisblum " - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Succah page 51 Gemarrah Succot Rabbi Weisblum " - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Rav A. Somekh - Talmud Sanhedrin 15 - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Mizmor Shir Leiom Hashabat - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Succah page 50 Gemarrah Succot Rabbi Weisblum - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Succah page 48 Gemarrah Succot Rabbi Weisblum " - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Succah page 49 Gemarrah Succot Rabbi Weisblum " - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Succah page 47 Gemarrah Succot Rabbi Weisblum " - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- 4 5 Talmud nazi Ovadia Yosef - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Iedid Nefesh - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Talmud LALTRO - Video [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Succah page 56 Gemarrah Succot Rabbi Weisblum " - Video [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2014]
- Lejuneranena - Video [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2014]
- Healing bodies and souls: Parashat Metzora (Leviticus 14:1-15:33) [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2014]
- Darwin 666 talmud agenda 28 - Video [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2014]
- Legends of the Talmud - Video [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2014]
- The Jewish Talmud EXPOSED! - Video [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2014]
- Professor Philippa Talmud - Interview - Video [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2014]
- Darwin 666 talmud agenda 21 - Video [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2014]
- Darwin 666 talmud agenda 14 - Video [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2014]
- Darwin 666 talmud agenda 13 - Video [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2014]
- Rabbanit Iris: Tomer Devorah and Talmud Torah Matches Them All HEBREW 2012 - Video [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- The "Other" Talmud - Video [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- Koren Talmud Bavli - A Taste of Passover - Video [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2014]
- The Secret Jewish History of Tax Day [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2014]
- A Transgender Blessing [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2014]
- The Secret Jewish History of the Coffee Cup (Starbucks and Otherwise) [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2014]
- What makes this book different from (most) other books? [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2014]
- Ensuring the spirit of halachic marriage [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2014]
- The Talmud - Internet Sacred Text Archive [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Beitzah Yom Tov page 7 Gemarrah ' - Video [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2014]
- Blended Learning in Math at Herzliah - Video [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2014]
- Jewish congregation plans new synogogue off Georgia Avenue -- Gazette.Net [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- Jewish congregation plans new synagogue off Georgia Avenue -- Gazette.Net [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- Rav A. Somekh - Talmud Sanhedrin 17 - Video [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- 5:57 MINUTES - 1 page of the Talmud can be...your ticket to Eternity! - Video [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- Ma Nistana, Iraqi traition by KJ Talmud Torah - Video [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- The Only Non-Jewish Teacher at the Talmud-Torah in Hamburg - Video [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- Warrior Memories: Rally Club a catalyst for Warrior fanbase [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2014]
- 5 5 talmud nazi Ovadia - Video [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2014]
- The TALMUD - Video [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2014]
- Kabbalah Talmud Zionism Evil IMF 2 - Video [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2014]
- fossili evoluzione talmud agenda - Video [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Beitzah Yom Tov page 14 Gemarrah Festival " - Video [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Beitzah Yom Tov page 12 Gemarrah Festival " - Video [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2014]
- ISLAM imperialism talmud SATANIC MISSION - Video [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- Original Talmud - Video [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- Pasque di sangue talmud IMF Ariel Toaff 4a cattolicesimo eu - Video [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- Daf Yomi Talmud Beitzah Yom Tov page 15 Gemarrah Festival " - Video [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- Historical evidence of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- Fighting for the right to pray [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 38 - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 26 - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 158 - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 60 - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 149 - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 28 - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 102 - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 35 - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 64 - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 65 - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 42 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 123 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 133 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 118 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 162 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 55 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 82 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 140 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 88 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 129 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 66 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- Le Talmud:La haine de l'autre - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI 45 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- evolution agenda NWO talmud 666 x slavery Unius REI - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
Comments