Divided We Fall: Amalek’s Ancient Strategy in Modern Times

In the aftermath of October 7, 2023, as Jews worldwide witnessed the deadliest attack on Jewish lives since the Holocaust, an ancient biblical lesson resurfaced with renewed urgency. Before that fateful day, Israeli society had reached perhaps its most divided state in decades—fractured by political tensions, religious differences, and social divisions. Then, in an echo of the Amalek attacks of old, enemies struck when internal rifts were at their peak. From university campuses to the streets of major cities, from social media to international forums, we have since seen how quickly isolation and division can become existential threats. Yet throughout history, whenever enemies have risen against us, our greatest defense has always been our unity.

This Shabbat, known as Shabbat Zachor (the Sabbath of Remembrance), carries this profound message that resonates through the centuries of Jewish history. On the Shabbat before Purim, we fulfill a biblical commandment by reading three powerful verses from Deuteronomy:

The timing of this reading is intentional and deeply significant. Purim commemorates how Haman, a descendant of Amalek, plotted to annihilate the Jewish people in ancient Persia. The story of Purim thus becomes a fulfillment of the earlier narrative—a continuation of the ancient struggle against Amalek and what this nation represents.

But what made the Jewish people vulnerable to Amalek’s attack in the first place? The Kli Yakar, Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim Luntschitz (1550-1619), offers a profound insight into this question, one that remains relevant today.

In his commentary on Exodus 17:8, the Kli Yakar explains that Amalek was able to attack the Jewish people because of internal division. He likens Amalek to a fly that can only enter an already existing wound. When the Israelites quarreled among themselves and questioned “Is God among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7) after leaving Egypt, they created spiritual fissures that Amalek exploited.

The very location of the attack—Rephidim—hints at this weakness. The Kli Yakar notes that the name “Rephidim” (רפידים) is associated with “weakening” (רפיון), symbolizing spiritual laxity and diminished unity. It was precisely this internal division that created the opportunity for external attack.

We see this pattern repeating in the Purim story. Haman, true to his Amalekite heritage, recognized and exploited division among the Jews. In his plot to convince King Ahasuerus to authorize genocide, he described the Jewish people as “a certain people, scattered and dispersed among the peoples” (Esther 3:8). The emphasis on their scattered nature was no coincidence—Haman understood that a divided people is a vulnerable people.

The Jewish response to this threat teaches us the antidote to Amalek’s power. When Esther learned of the plot, her first instruction was “Go and gather all the Jews” (Esther 4:16). Unity became the primary defense against destruction.

This principle is powerfully illustrated in the sequence following the original Amalek attack. After defeating Amalek through unified effort, the Israelites journeyed to Mount Sinai where they achieved an unprecedented level of cohesion. The Torah describes their encampment in the singular form, prompting the medieval biblical commentator Rashi’s famous comment that they stood “like one person with one heart.” This remarkable unity wasn’t coincidental but essential—it created the spiritual foundation necessary for receiving the Torah. Only when standing as a unified people could they enter into a covenant with the Divine.

The practices of Purim reinforce this lesson of unity as our shield against the forces that seek to destroy us. It is no coincidence that we celebrate not through solitary reflection but through communal practices that actively build connection: sending gifts to friends, giving charity to the poor, a festive meal shared with others, and the public reading of the scroll of Esther. Each of these practices strengthens the bonds between us, transforming a commemoration of survival into a celebration of solidarity.

As King Solomon wisely observed, “A threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Our strength lies not in our individual achievements but in our collective unity. When we stand together—respecting our differences while embracing our shared destiny—we become impervious to the attacks of modern-day Amalekites.

The message of Shabbat Zachor is therefore not merely about remembering an ancient enemy, but about understanding the conditions that make us vulnerable and the practices that make us strong. In a world that often emphasizes individualism over community, Purim reminds us that our greatest protection comes from standing together, caring for one another, and recognizing our shared fate.

As we prepare to celebrate Purim, let us remember that the most effective response to those who seek to divide and destroy us is to deepen our connections to one another. The impact of unity reverberates far beyond our individual lives, creating a shield that protects not just ourselves but generations to come. In a world that often emphasizes individualism, Purim reminds us that our collective strength has always been our greatest defense against those who seek our destruction.

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