The greatest enemy of the Jewish people is the nation of Amalek ,as we read in the parsha of B'Shalach:
And HaShem said unto Moshe: 'Write this for a memorial in the book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.' And Moshe built an altar, and called the name of it Adonai-nissi. And he said: 'The hand upon the throne of HaShem: HaShem will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.'( Exodus 17;14-16)
In the book of Bamidbar( Numbers) we read that "Amalek is the first ( Rosh) of the nations." (Num. 24:20) Rashi explains that the Hebrew word "rosh" here refers to the fact that Amalek was the first nation to attack the Jews as they went out of Egypt. Yet our mystical writings declare that Amalek is the Rosh or head of the evil nations that will endeavor at all times to eradicate the Jewish people .They represent the evil power that attempts to instill doubt and confusion into the world around us.That is the reason that the torah tells us:
“Remember what Amalek did unto you by the way as you came forth out of Egypt; how he happened upon you (KARCHA) by the way, and smote the hindmost of you, all those who were stragglers, when you were faint and weary; and not God-fearing .( Deuteronomy 25:17-18) .
They could not have happened upon them as the Amalek people lived very far from where the Israelites were camped. Yet the word for “happened upon you , Karcha , comes from the root of Mikreh, or happenstance. The greatest threat to the Jewish people is if they fall prey to the belief system based on randomness and happenstance. They are in the midst of the great danger if they begin to believe that their life is purposeless and direction-less.
These elections are unusual in that the regular display of election posters and balcony signs are almost non-existent. The sense of indifference hangs like an overwhelming pall in the air. Everywhere you turn you meet with a sense in the air that reeks of a belief that nothing really matters. Nothing is new under the sun and everything will be as it was. Bibi , Barak or Livni are all seen as clones of each other. Yet there is sense that that is the impression that is being fanned in the public perception..
Netanyahu is a complex and difficult choice, yet there is no doubt either of the other two choices would spell further disaster for the people of Israel. We must remember that the solution to the danger facing Israel is not simply throwing out a failed cadre of politicians that have brought Israel into such decline. Psalm 34:14 says Sur Merah veAseh Tov – Depart from evil and do that which is Good. It is true that ensuring the election of a "Land of Israel” government under Netanyahu may be a fulfillment of the Sur Merah- Depart from evil” viewpoint. Yet Netanyahu ,at this point in his developing soul journey ,does not yet represent the “Asey Tov- do that which is Good" side of the equation. In order to achieve that, those that love the land of Israel must wake from their slumber. They must shake off the chains of indifference that have been thrust upon them by the spirit of Amalek.
To do “good” means to choose a clear and unequivocal voice that represents good. It must be a voice undiluted by the grand designs imposed upon it by the Likud party apparatus. It must be voice that speaks its mind unabashedly and with an undertone of faith and vision.
To my mind that is the voice of the Ichud Haleumi, the National Union. The list that they have chosen represent a group of people who are part and parcel of the collective soul of this people . One was a hero in battle and a visionary in everything else he has done and created. With another one of the list, I sat through meeting after meeting and at demonstration after demonstration and watched a fierce and unquenchable passion burning in his eyes. With another I stood and cried as we stood on a corner outside of Sderot trying to give the expelled residents of Gush Katif a strengthening hug as they were driven out of their homes. Another has stood with courage and determination at every crossroad of this long journey this people are on.
They all represent a clear and pure voice. That is the only way to dispel the darkness of Amalek.
written by Chuck McKinnis , February 06, 2009
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Looking forward to visiting Moshe and his shop this month.