Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Amalek and why did they attack Israel?
A: Amalek was a nation descended from Esav (Esau) who attacked the Jewish people shortly after they left Egypt. According to Rashi and the Midrash, Amalek's attack was unprovoked and demonstrated their cruelty and hatred for Israel. The Torah considers this act so significant that we are commanded to remember and erase the memory of Amalek (Deuteronomy 25:17-19).
Q: Why is the location called 'Refidim' significant?
A: The name Refidim comes from the Hebrew word 'rafu yedeihem' meaning 'their hands weakened,' as the Midrash explains this was a moment when some among Israel weakened in their faith. Amalek took advantage of this spiritual vulnerability to attack. This teaches us that maintaining strong faith and unity protects us from our enemies.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the battle with Amalek?
A: The battle with Amalek teaches us about the constant struggle between good and evil. Just as Moshe's raised hands brought Israel victory (Exodus 17:11), we learn from our sages that when we direct our hearts to Heaven and maintain strong faith, we can overcome challenges. The Rambam teaches that Amalek represents doubt and coldness towards holiness that we must constantly fight against.
Q: How does the story of Amalek apply to us today?
A: Our sages teach that Amalek represents those who attack the Jewish people throughout history. The commandment to remember Amalek (Deuteronomy 25:17) reminds us to be vigilant against hatred and anti-Semitism. On a personal level, it also teaches us to fight against indifference to Torah and mitzvot, which the Baal Shem Tov compared to the 'Amalek within' each person.
Q: Why is this battle mentioned right after the story of the water from the rock?
A: Rashi explains the sequence teaches that Amalek attacked when they saw Israel questioning 'Is Hashem among us or not?' (Exodus 17:7). When people show weakness in faith, it invites challenges. The juxtaposition teaches that maintaining trust in Hashem - like the water miracle showed - is our protection against enemies like Amalek.
The Attack of Amalek at Refidim
The verse (Shemot 17:8) describes the sudden attack by Amalek on the Israelites in Refidim. Rashi explains that the name Refidim alludes to the spiritual weakness (rifyon yadayim) of the Jewish people at that time, as they had slackened in their devotion to Torah and mitzvot. This vulnerability made them susceptible to Amalek's assault.
Amalek's Unique Hatred
The Midrash Tanchuma (Ki Teitzei 9) teaches that Amalek's attack was not motivated by territorial or material concerns, but by pure hatred of Israel and their covenant with Hashem. Unlike other nations who feared attacking Israel due to the miracles of the Exodus, Amalek deliberately sought to undermine the Jewish people's divine protection.
The Spiritual Battle
The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 29a) derives from this episode that when Israel is threatened, they must respond with both physical defense and spiritual reinforcement. This is symbolized by Moshe's raised hands during the battle - when Israel looked upward and subjugated their hearts to Heaven, they prevailed.
The Kli Yakar connects this battle to the preceding incident at Massah u'Merivah, where the people doubted Hashem. He explains that Amalek represents the existential doubt (Amalek in gematria equals "safek") that attacks when faith wavers.