Parshat Tetzaveh-Zachor
There is hardly a person in the world who has not heard about the COVID-19 Virus that disrupted the world in 2020-2022 and the enormous impact it had on our worldwide community. From the loss of life, quarantined people and families, affected countries and communities, and the billions of dollars in lost revenue and travel, we are still trying to fully grasp the global impact of this horrific virus. For children who had their educational experience interrupted by lockdowns and schools closing, there is much data depicting the continuing impact on their academic experience.
This week, in addition to the regular Torah portion of Tetzaveh we will also read the special portion of Zachor. This portion recounts the story of how the wicked and cruel nation of Amalek attacked our people when we left Egypt trying to decimate us. On the week before the Purim holiday, our sages instituted for us to read this Torah portion to remember what Amalek and Haman (the villain in the Purim story, who was a descendant of Amalek) wanted to do to us. Thus, this Shabbat is called the Shabbat of Remembrance-Shabbat Zachor. In today's day and age, we have our modern Hamans and Amalek. We pray that Hashem destroys them all the same.
As terrifying as global pandemics, war and terrorism may be, there is an even greater pandemic in our religious lives. It exists in every time and place since the beginning of time. It is the Amalek Virus. It is an epidemic of indifference and apathy. In religious and Kabbalistic terms we call this the "Amalek Virus" as Amalek represents the "coldness" and indifference to holiness and G-dliness. This internal virus cannot be quarantined or left for the infected cells to just die out. Rather, it must be singed with fire, the "fire" of Torah and spirituality, the excitement and engagement of Yiddishkeit. One might argue that the greatest challenge facing Judaism and Israel today is not the external forces that want to destroy us, but the internal loss of direction, commitment, and engagement in our faith and peoplehood.
As we get ready to celebrate the joyous holiday of Purim once again, let us recommit ourselves to be warm, vibrant and engaged Jews, and once and for all put an end to the Amalek Virus.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Purim Sameach!
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Purim Sameach!