Q&A: Erasing the Memory of Amalek
Erasing the Memory of Amalek
Question
Hello to Rabbi Michi,
In "Walking Among the Standing," the Rabbi argues that it is possible to give moral validity by providing a rational explanation for the destruction of the Amalekites. The Rabbi explains this by saying that the Amalekites may pose an actual danger to Jews, and even a potential danger (p. 80).
On page 418, the Rabbi attributes to the word "memory" ("you shall surely blot out the memory of Amalek") the physical eradication of Amalek.
If so, why, when Saul destroyed the Amalekite, was he instructed not to spare the Amalekites' animals?
That does not fit with the two points I cited above in the Rabbi's name.
Best regards, Ehud
Answer
I didn't understand what the difficulty is. The destruction of the animals is not because they are a danger to Israel, but as a way of illustrating to Israel how thoroughly no memory of Amalek is supposed to remain. It is motivation to fight, and also an educational illustration of the obligation to destroy evil.
Rashi/Radak do in fact explain it that way, and that does fit the second point the Rabbi held.
But regarding the moral issue, I still do not see any reason to destroy animals (as opposed to destroying the people themselves, who always retain the potential to fight the Jewish people), since it is not reasonable that the Amalekites' animals would harm us.