What the Name Amalek Conceals

Pesikta DeRav Kahana 3:8

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"Amalek" (Deuteronomy 25:17). [Read it as] "am yalek" [a people that licks up], swarming like a locust. Another interpretation: "am lak" [a people that laps] — a nation that came to lap up the blood of Israel like a dog. Rabbi Levi said in the name of Rabbi Shimon ben Halafta: To what was Amalek like? To a fly that is greedy after a wound; so was Amalek greedy after Israel, like a dog. It was taught in the name of Rabbi Natan: Four hundred parasangs did Amalek stride to come and make war with Israel at Rephidim.

Themes

Divine JusticeWisdom

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