Amalek in the Torah: The Eternal Enemy of Israel and the Battle for Divine Justice

Amalek is the nation that descends from Amalek, the son of Eliphaz and grandson of Esau. Known for their cruelty and audacity, the Amalekites were the first to attack the Israelites following the Exodus from Egypt. In Jewish tradition, Amalek symbolizes unprovoked evil, which is why the Torah commands the complete erasure of their memory, including their people, possessions, and legacy.

Amalek in the Torah

The Torah first identifies Amalek in Genesis as a descendant of Eliphaz. During the time of the Exodus, the Amalekites dwelled in the Sinai and Negev deserts and launched an unprovoked attack on the Jewish people, the first assault on the nascent nation. Despite the surprise attack, Israel achieved a decisive military victory.

The dramatic encounter is detailed in Exodus 17:

“Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim... Whenever Moshe held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed... And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.”

This battle was considered a spiritual affront. Following the miracles of the Exodus, when nations trembled before God’s wonders, Amalek’s attack was a declaration of disbelief, a bold defiance of Divine authority. The Midrash likens this act to someone who "cools down a boiling bath," making it approachable for others. In this sense, Amalek's aggression emboldened other nations, such as Edom and Sihon, to rise against Israel.

Amalek appears again in Numbers 14:45, after the sin of the spies. When the Israelites attempted to ascend the hill country against the Divine command, they were repelled by the Canaanites and Amalekites, marking another moment of defeat and vulnerability.

Amalek During the Era of the Judges and Kings

Conflict with Amalek continued through the period of the Judges. When Saul became the first king of Israel, God commanded him through the prophet Samuel to utterly destroy Amalek:

“I remember what Amalek did to Israel... Go now, strike down Amalek and destroy everything they have.”

Saul defeated Amalek and delivered Israel from their plunderers. However, his decision to spare King Agag and the best livestock was a critical failure. By disobeying God’s command, Saul forfeited his kingdom. According to tradition, the Amalekites used sorcery to avoid annihilation by transforming themselves into animals, ensuring their survival.

Another confrontation took place during David’s time, when the Amalekites raided Ziklag and captured women and children. David pursued them, defeated the enemy, and recovered the captives and their belongings.

The final biblical mention of Amalek is found in 1 Chronicles 4. During the reign of King Hezekiah, 500 men from the tribe of Simeon attacked the remaining Amalekite survivors in Mount Seir and lived there afterward.

Amalek in the Post-Biblical Era

In the Book of Esther, Haman, the primary antagonist, is described as “Haman, son of Hammedatha, the Agagite,” linking him to Agag, king of Amalek. This connection solidifies Amalek's presence as a recurring threat in Jewish history.

Despite their disappearance as a distinct nation, the Sages teach that Amalek’s essence persists. Due to Sennacherib's global resettlement of nations, no single national entity today can be identified as Amalek. Instead, Amalek’s spirit, one of opposition to holiness and Divine truth, has been scattered among the nations.

The Commandments to Remember and Erase Amalek

Two of the Torah's 613 commandments relate specifically to Amalek.

The first is the command to remember Amalek’s attack on Israel after the Exodus. The Torah recalls:

“Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey, after you left Egypt... cutting down all the stragglers in your rear.”

The second is the command to blot out Amalek’s memory entirely. When Israel achieves peace in their land, they are instructed to eradicate Amalek “from under heaven.” This is considered a milchemet mitzvah (a Divinely mandated war).

The Sages record a dialogue in which Israel pleads with God, asking how mere mortals can fulfill this eternal command. God replies: “It suffices that you recite the section about Amalek each year, and I will consider it as if you have erased his name.”

This recitation occurs once a year, on Parashat Zachor, the Shabbat before Purim. The Torah portion, along with the haftarah that recounts Saul’s war against Amalek, serves as a communal fulfillment of the obligation to remember and erase.

Amalek as a Symbol in Jewish Thought

More than a historical enemy, Amalek has become a spiritual archetype. The Midrash states:

“As long as Amalek’s seed exists, God’s name and throne are incomplete. When Amalek is gone, God's name and throne will be whole.” (Midrash Tanchuma, Ki Tetzei)

In Chassidic teachings, “Amalek” represents internal apathy, the cool, dismissive attitude toward mitzvot and Divine providence. The verse “asher korcha baderech” (“who happened upon you on the way,” which describes Amalek's attack in the wilderness) is interpreted as a reference to spiritual indifference and denial of purposeful design.

Conclusion

Amalek’s role in Jewish history extends far beyond ancient warfare. As a physical nation, they were the first to challenge Israel after the Exodus. As a symbol, they embody the force of evil, randomness, and resistance to holiness. Through annual remembrance and symbolic obliteration, Judaism reaffirms its mission to oppose those things that seek to undermine truth, purpose, and Divine connection.