The final pesukim of Parashat Ki-Teitzei issue the mitzvah to always remember Amalek's attack on Benei Yisrael right after their departure from Egypt. Moshe uses a somewhat ambiguous term to describe Amalek's aggression: "asher karekha ba-derekh" (25:18). Rashi offers three interpretations as to the meaning of this phrase. First, he suggests that "karekha" relates to the term "mikreh," or happenstance. The verse would thus mean that Amalek "chanced upon you" along the way. Secondly, Rashi associates the word with "keri," impurity, indicating that Amalek performed abominable activities with their captives from Benei Yisrael. Finally, Rashi identifies "karekha" as a derivative of the word "kor," cold. He explains that before Amalek's attack, Benei Yisrael, the fear of whom had overcome the other peoples, resembled a scorching pool of water into which no one would dare enter. Amalek "jumped" into the water, burning themselves but "cooling off" Benei Yisrael, effectively inviting other nations to oppress them.
Reb Yerucham Lebovitz of Mir applies this "cooling off" phenomenon to all areas of life, where it often takes the form of taboo breaking. Violations of basic social and ethical norms, when first committed, appear abhorrent and vulgar and often invite widespread and harsh condemnation. However, no matter how unanimous the criticism, the damage is done: the barrier blocking the way before general acceptance of this conduct has lost a layer. To whatever extent, the taboo has been at least diluted; the next time it occurs, the shock will be substantially more mild, and, eventually, it could potentially earn acceptance. The first step of the unheard of's road to approval is becoming heard of.
In this context, Reb Yerucham cites the Rambam's comments regarding a person's choice of place of residence (Hilkhot Dei'ot, 6): "The nature of man's being is to be attracted in his thoughts and deeds to his comrades and friends… Therefore, a person must attach himself to righteous people and always reside near sages… and distance himself from the wicked… If one was in a country whose customs were bad and its people did not follow the proper path… he should live by himself in solitude… "
Over the course of time, regular exposure to inappropriate behavior chips away at our walls of conscience and brings us to a degree of resignation. The "Amalek syndrome" warns us to expose ourselves to goodness and piety, to people who will help us raise our ethical and religious standards, rather than lower them.
So my week has been extremly tiring and crazy so bear with me. on sunday me and my family went to Masada and we walked down which was extremely tiring followed by ein gedi and ending at the dead sea. monday we were all exausted so we stayed at home until around 230 when we went to Latrun which is a Tank museum so that was a solid chilled out day. Tuesday we went to some science thing and then the blind museum after all that I went to my 2nd cousin who has an amazing house in Tel Aviv and I went swimming on the pool on their roof. Wednesday I went on a jeep tour in the midbar Yehuda with my cousin who got bar mitzvahed today and then went to yad eliezer to do chesed the packing stuff. Today I went to my cousins bar mitzvah at the kotel which was very emotional because his dad(moms brother, i think shmuel knows who im talking about he was there) passed away 6 years ago and this is his oldest. he had his party in some museum which actually had great food which was clutch. Tommorrow we are going to the Har Tzion hotel which is where the Bar Mitzvah is and I am going to be there for shabbos. And next week to end my israel trip my whole mothers side of the family is going up north to the Golan and wtvr else is up there to celebrate my grandparents 50th anniversary and then I am coming back on Wed i think. looking forward to some R&R
Stats mazel tov on ur birthday srry i couldnt be there but wish i was there but im sure we had a large plu representation so it was prob great and thanks to all those who voted on whether i should get a new kippah or stick with my classic one but in the end my all powerful mother and grandmother bought me two new ones and i have been forced into wearing them. dont worry because i will still wear my classic one but prob only at my basketball games and stuff like that so Jesse now i really have a gameday kippah
Thanks to those who stuck with me to reach the bottom of this huge email and have a great shabbos
peace from the holy land
Schwalb
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