By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times

Attn Readers: Rabbi Hoffman’s newest Volume of Not Your Usual Halacha (#8) is now available on amazon.com.

Believe it or not, there is a debate among the Rishonim as to the reason for Parshas Zachor. The Sefer HaChinuch understands this Mitzvah as a means of encouraging the men of Klal Yisroel to battle to defend against an implacable enemy. His position is that women are, in fact, exempt from this Mitzvah.

Not so the Sefer Mitzvos Ketanos (Rav Yitzchok Ben Yosef 1210-1280), also known as the SMaK. He is of the position that the reason is to realize that Hashem saved us from the hand of Amalek and so that we will always be in awe of Him so that we not sin against His will. This position could perhaps be traced to the words of the Targum Yonasan on the verse “Lo Tishkach” (Shmos 25:19). He writes, “v’afilu l’yoma Malka d’meshicha lo tisnashi” – that it applies even to the times of Moshiach.

There is also a fascinating explanation of Yiras Shamayim, fear of Heaven that is provided by the Nesivos Shalom. It is different than the explanation that is commonly given. We are afraid of losing our unique bond and relationship with Hashem – our dveikus to Him. He give a moshol, a parable. Imagine you are drowning in a vast ocean. A lifeguard jumps in and rescues you, You hold on to him for dear life – afraid to let go. You are afraid of losing that connection you have with him.

So too here, Yiras Shamayim, according to this explanation of the Nesivos Shalom is that you are afraid of losing that special relationship that you have with Him.

According to the combined SMaK’s and Nesivos Shalom’s explanation, we read Parshas Zachor to further cement the notion within us that Hashem saved us from the hand of Amalek and so that we will realize how precious our relationship with Hashem is and that we should be afraid of losing it. This will encourage us not to sin and do aveiros – which will distance ourselves from Him.
According to the Sefer HaChinuch (and also the Ramban’s explanation) the obligation is combined with the Mitzvah of destroying Amalek. Many people explain that Amalek represents the epitome of evil. The intent we should have then is that we must fight that which epitomizes evil in all that we can.

The author can be reached at [email protected]

Attn Readers: Rabbi Hoffman’s newest Volume of Not Your Usual Halacha (#8) is now available on amazon.com.