At the end of this week's Torah portion, Ki Teitzei, ....

we are commanded to "Remember what [the nation of] Amalek did to you on your way out of Egypt... You must not forget."
We are also commanded by G-d to remember the holy day of Shabbat: "Remember the Shabbat day to sanctify it."

The commandments to remember Amalek and Shabbat apply in every time and in every place. Thus, to fulfill our obligation, more is required than an occasional reflection on these concepts. Our awareness of Amalek and of Shabbat must be so all-encompassing that it fills our entire beings.

When the Jews learned of these mitzvot (commandments), however, they were perplexed. They couldn't understand how it was possible to incorporate both remembrances at the same time. Aren't the concepts of Amalek and Shabbat antithetical?

When a Jew remembers Shabbat, he reminds himself that G-d created the world and continues to sustain it each moment. Remembering Shabbat brings him to an awareness of G-d's sovereignty over the entire universe.

Remembering Amalek, by contrast, leads to a vastly different perception. The nation of Amalek recognized G-d as the Creator of the world and its Supreme Ruler, yet intentionally rebelled against Him. When we remind ourselves of Amalek and his rebellion, it causes us to want to destroy him - a concept that is antithetical to G-d's Kingship over the world and His ongoing involvement in creation.

Consequently, how can G-d expect us to keep both Amalek and the Shabbat day in our minds simultaneously?

To explain, the spiritual source of Amalek and Shabbat is in the realm of holiness, despite the wicked behavior that Amalek manifested. If G-d hadn't endowed Amalek with the power to rebel, he would never have been able to do so. How is the Divine source of Amalek revealed? By nullifying what he stands for and obliterating his name. When we remember Amalek, his roots in the realm of holiness are brought to the fore, and our remembrance of Amalek no longer stands in contradiction to our remembrance of Shabbat. In truth, both remembrances serve the function of revealing G-dliness.

Remembering the Shabbat leads to a revelation of G-d's unity, reminding us that G-d not only created the world but continues to involve Himself in its day-to-day existence. By contrast, the revelation of G-dliness that occurs when we remember Amalek is achieved by nullifying his intention to rebel against G-d.

Thus, although the thrust of each remembrance is in an opposite direction (one leading toward sanctity and the other toward punishment), they are both means by which G-d's Divine Presence is revealed. Each remembrance is but a different method of introducing sanctity into the world.


Adapted from Likutei Sichot, Volume 19