Mitzvos Relating to our Fellow Man
39: Remembering Terrorism
"Remember what Amalek did to you on the way, when you left the land of
Egypt" (Devarim 25:17)
We are obligated to review verbally the terrible acts of Amalek, who
attacked B'nai Yisroel when they left Mitzrayim, and others like them in
order to hate them and battle against their wickedness. By destroying the
wicked, we help protect innocent people.
We have to teach our children and others to avoid wickedness (Ramban on
Devarim 25:17).
One of the first teachings in Pirkei Avos is "Keep far away from bad
neighbors and do not befriend the wicked" (Avos 1:7). Similarly, the first
chapter of Tehillim begins: "Fortunate is a person who does not follow the
council of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit with
scoffers..." It is essential for us to stay away from evil.
Text Copyright © 2007 by Rabbi Moshe Goldberger and Torah.org.
