Parshat Ki Teitzei
In this week's Torah portion of Ki Teitzei, we read of many different Mitzvot and commandments. Towards the end of the portion we read the famous words "Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey, after you left Egypt - זָכ֕וֹר אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה לְךָ֖ עֲמָלֵ֑ק בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ בְּצֵאתְכֶ֥ם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם- " (Devarim 25:17).
This statement is part of the six historical remembrances, which many recite every day after the morning prayers. There are a number of significant historical events that the Torah tells us to remember every day. Some traditions list only four remembrances and others count as many as ten, but the prevalent custom is to recite six remembrances after the morning prayers. (The first to formulate the text of the six remembrances, as found in many different prayerbooks, was Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi in his Siddur, based on the Midrash and works of the Arizal. www.chabad.org).
I have often wondered why is remembering what Amalek did to us so important that it makes it into the "six remembrances"? Yes, they did something terrible to us. But as our tradition dictates, they tried to kill us, we survived, now let's eat! Why the obsession with looking back at the difficult and challenging episodes? Let's just move forward!
Related to the episode of Amalek attacking the Jewish people shortly after leaving Egypt, the Torah states "Amalek came and battled Israel in Rephidim" (Shemot 17:8). The commentaries address the need for the Torah to tell us exactly where this happened, "in Rephidim".
Rashi (France 1040-1105) explains that this was the place where they questioned G-d, essentially becoming weak in their faith. The Mechilta (a Midrashic commentary from Mishnaic times) explains that the word Rephidim implies "a loosening of their grip on the Torah". In other words, due to their lack of faith in Hashem and loosening their connection to G-d's word, the Jews were attacked by Amalek.
This only amplifies the question of why focus on the negative experience? Can't we just move on?
Being in middle of the month of Elul and preparing for the High Holidays, it is most appropriate to look back at the past year. As we revisit the many experiences of the year, both positive and negative, we often need to face some ugly moments. We remember those moments or events that were most unpleasant and are glad that we are past them. In truth, however, these difficult moments and events have shaped us to who we are at the present day. For better or worse, we are who we are because of our experiences.
Perhaps this is the message and reason of why we read this remembrance. Don't run away from your difficult moments. Don't make believe you didn't fail. Instead lean into them, feel them, own them, because they made you who you are.
If we want to move on and embrace the new year in a healthy way, we can't run away from our experiences. We need to learn from them and transform them into stepping stones for growth.
Shabbat Shalom.
Thank you ! Beautifully stated
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