Who is Amalek?
Amalek, is the the descendant of Eliphaz and his concubine Timna. Timna, known to be Lotan's sister, was a princess who sought to adopt Judaism but faced rejection by the patriarchs. Her vengeance materialized in the form of Amalek, a figure whose lineage brought adversity upon Israel. Notably, Amalek's origins are shrouded in controversy, stemming from an incestuous relationship between Eliphaz and Timna, his stepdaughter, after Eliphaz's transgression with Seir's wife. The Amalekites, dwelling in the Negev and Sinai regions, led a life of nomadic existence. Throughout the Torah, the Amalekites emerge as perennial adversaries of the Israelites.
What Makes Them So Evil?
During the Exodus from Egypt, as recounted in Shemos 17:8–16, the Amalekites launched an attack on the Israelites at Rephidim, only to be defeated. Witnessed by Moshe, Aaron, and Chur from a nearby cliff, Yehoshua led the Israelites into battle as Moshe, with his staff raised, ensured their victory. The pivotal role of holding his uplifted hands is emphasized in this narrative, reflecting the correlation between the Jewish people's perspective and the Israelites' success.
The command to eradicate the memory of Amalek is issued in Devarim 25:17–19, symbolizing retribution for their prior aggression towards the Israelites. This directive, echoing earlier, calls for the destruction of idolatrous cities and their inhabitants.
The repercussions of neglecting this mandate are exemplified by King Shaul's misstep in sparing King Agag, which led to divine disfavor, as depicted in Samuel Alef 15.
Amalek consistently emerges as a formidable adversary to the Israelites. From their collaboration with the Midianites in inducing famine and inciting conflicts in Shoftim to Dovid's retaliatory raids in Shmuel Alef. Notably, the narrative in Tehillim 83:7 portrays Amalek aligning with Israel's historical foes in an orchestrated attempt to eradicate the Jews, only to be thwarted by divine intervention.
The Mitzvah To "Blot Them Out"
In Mishneh Torah, Rambam outlines three commandments regarding Amalek: Mitzvah 59 - a Negative commandment instructing not to forget the wicked deeds of Amalek; Mitzvah 188 - a positive commandment to exterminate the seed of Amalek; and Mitzvah 189 - a positive commandment to remember what Amalek did to the Jewish people.
Multiple Sages, including Rambam, have determined that these commandments apply to a Jewish King or an organized community, not individuals. According to Rashi, the Amalekites could transform themselves into animals to evade capture, leading to the necessity of destroying even their livestock. Haggahos Maimuniyyos suggests that these commandments pertain to a future messianic era rather than the present time, a view supported by numerous authorities.
Rambam further explains that in a war against Amalek, the Amalekites must be offered to accept the Seven Laws of Noahide and pay a tax to the Jewish kingdom; failure to comply results in execution. Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch interprets the command as eradicating evil within oneself and the world. The Sfas Emes emphasizes abhorrence towards Amalek without physical actions. At the same time, the Chofetz Chaim taught that the elimination of Amalek would be achieved by Hashem, with Jews tasked to remember the atrocities committed by Amalek.