And they found fascinating ways to resolve those tensions within the sacred texts.
Take, for instance, the perplexing case of Amalek.
Who was Amalek? A biblical nation known for its unprovoked attack on the Israelites shortly after the Exodus from Egypt. Amalek became the symbol of pure, unadulterated evil in Jewish tradition. And we are commanded, repeatedly, to remember what Amalek did (Deuteronomy 25:17-19) – and to eradicate their memory.
But here’s the rub: We find two verses about wiping out Amalek that seem to contradict each other. Deuteronomy 25:19 says, “…you shall obliterate the remembrance of Amalek…” while Exodus 17:14 says, “…I will surely obliterate the remembrance of Amalek…” So, which is it? Are we supposed to do it? Or will God take care of it?
R’ Yehoshua ben Levi, quoting R’ Alexandri, offers a brilliant solution in Pesikta DeRav Kahana. He explains that both verses are true, but they apply to different stages. “Before he has reached out his hand against the throne ‘you shall obliterate Amalek.’ Once he has reached out his hand against the throne ‘I will surely obliterate the remembrance of Amalek.’”
Okay, but what does it mean to “reach out his hand against the throne?” Does that mean Amalek is literally trying to attack God in heaven? Well, not exactly.
The rabbis, masters of interpretation, delve deeper. "Is it possible for flesh and blood to raise his hand against the throne of the Holy One?!" the text asks. Of course not!
Instead, they connect Amalek's actions to a specific historical event: the potential destruction of Jerusalem. The verse in Jeremiah 3:17 states, “At that time, they will call Jerusalem the Throne of the Lord…” Jerusalem, in its holiness, represents God's presence in the world.
Therefore, Amalek “reaching out his hand against the throne” is interpreted as Amalek threatening to destroy Jerusalem. And because of this, “…I will surely obliterate the remembrance of Amalek from beneath the heavens.” God steps in when the threat is existential.
So, the two verses work together. We, humanity, are responsible for fighting against evil in the world, for preventing Amalek from rising. But when evil threatens the very foundation of holiness, when it aims for the "throne" itself, God intervenes directly.
What does this mean for us today? Perhaps it's a reminder that we all have a role to play in fighting injustice and protecting what is sacred. We can't just sit back and wait for divine intervention. But we can also trust that when the forces of darkness seem overwhelming, when the very foundations are threatened, there is a power greater than ourselves ready to step in. It’s a message of both responsibility and hope. A delicate balance, perhaps, but one worth striving for.