Take the story of Amalek. It’s a name that echoes through Jewish history, a symbol of unprovoked hatred and aggression. We're commanded in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 25:17 to remember what Amalek did to us "on the way when you went out of Egypt." But what does it really mean to "remember"?
That’s what the Sifrei Devarim, an ancient commentary on the Book of Deuteronomy, grapples with. It asks a crucial question: when the Torah commands us to "remember," what kind of remembering is it talking about?
The Sifrei points out a potential problem. The verse says "Remember," but then in verse 19 it also says "Do not forget." Isn't remembering the opposite of forgetting? The Sages of the Sifrei understood that the command "Do not forget" refers to forgetting in the heart – letting the memory fade, burying it deep down, pretending it didn't happen.
So, if "Do not forget" is about the heart, what kind of remembering is "Remember" about?
The Sifrei answers: "Remember" refers to remembering with the mouth. In other words, it’s not just about a feeling, or a fleeting thought. It’s about actively and consciously speaking the story of Amalek. Recounting the events, teaching them to our children, keeping the narrative alive through words.
Why is this distinction so important? Because simply remembering something in your heart can be passive. It can fade, it can be misinterpreted, it can be colored by our own biases. But when we speak about it, when we actively engage with the story through language, we make it real, we hold ourselves accountable to its lessons. We ensure it doesn't just become a dusty relic of the past. How many times have you truly understood something only when you tried to explain it to someone else? That’s the power of verbalizing our memories.
This isn't just about historical accuracy, though that's important too. It's about the ongoing process of wrestling with our past, of acknowledging the pain and injustice that has been inflicted upon us, and of committing ourselves to building a better future. By speaking the name of Amalek, by recounting their actions, we are actively choosing to remember, to learn, and to ensure that such hatred never triumphs.
So, the next time you encounter the command to remember Amalek, don't just Talk about it. Engage with the story. Let the words shape your understanding and inform your actions. Because sometimes, the most powerful way to remember is to speak.