Parshat Tetzaveh-Zachor
There is a hardly a person in the world who is not thinking about the COVID-19, Corona Virus and the impact it is having on our worldwide community. The loss of life, quarantined people and families, effected countries and communities, and the billions of dollars in lost revenue and travel. The global impact of this virus is yet to be truly understood on many levels. We pray that Hashem grant us all healing and that we are sparred the worse. Amen.
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.
As terrifying as the COVID-19 virus is, there is an even greater pandemic in our lives. It exists in every time and place since the beginning of time. It is the Amalek Virus. It is the 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.
As we 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!
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