A classic Shabbos drasha of a rabbi often connects the parsha to the time of year and to any simcha or life event happening that Shabbos. At times this approach seems forced. However, I learned a new concept regarding the Amalek’s battle with B’nei Yisrael and I’m amazed how this concept is a theme in Parshas Zachor, Tetzaveh and Megillas Esther which will be read this Shabbos and in the coming week on Purim.

In Parshas Zachor we read that Klal Yisrael was wondrously taken out of Mitzrayim by Hashem and led through the sea, which Hashem miraculously split for them. Why did Amalek then attack the Jewish nation, following their divinely managed escape?

Rav Simcha Zissel from Kelm gives a deep and novel insight. The Midrash analogizes the attack of Amalek on Klal Yisrael to a person who jumps into a scalding hot bath to cool down the water. The nation of Amalek knew they would lose. Their goal was not to win; rather, it was to lower the plateau of honor and prestige of Klal Yisrael. They couldn’t stand people respecting Klal Yisrael.

At the end of Beshalach the pasuk says, “ki yad al kes Kah.” Rashi explains, based on the Midrash, that Hashem swore by His throne that He was at war with Amalek. The word “kes” is an abbreviation of the word “kise”—throne—and is referring to Hashem’s throne. Rav Simcha Zissel notes that the reason why there is a specific emphasis on the throne of Hashem is because a throne is the symbol of majesty and honor. Amalek’s agenda was to lower the prestige, value and honor of Hashem and the Jewish nation that represented Him.

There are two types of honor: Prestige is honor that one receives from others, and inherent honor comes from self-value. The Vilna Gaon says that the word kavod in the Torah is spelled without a letter vav, spelling the word kaved—heavy. The only exception to this spelling is in this week’s Parsha of Tetzaveh when it describes the clothes of the Kohen. Alluding to that, the parsha indicates that most honors weigh a person down, except when it is an inherent honor, as is the case with a Kohen.

In the Purim story, the theme of outside honor and inherent honor is very central. Haman required all people passing by him to bow and prostrate themselves in front of him. Everyone complied except for Mordechai. Haman said, “If Mordechai does not bow to me, everything I have is worthless.”

But why would the lack of one person bowing make all the other honors that Haman received worthless? Haman was a descendant of Amalek, whose sense of honor derived from his outside world image and fame. When honor is based on one’s world image, even one person’s disrespect can cause his honor to be lost. Mordechai, however, had intrinsic self-worth based on his observance of the Torah and his position in Klal Yisrael. Mordechai understood the true sources of honor and therefore he would not bow to Haman.

Haman’s thirst for honor is displayed at the very beginning of Megillas Esther. When Vashti refused to appear in front of Achashverosh, Haman advised Achashverosh to execute Vashti and make a national law that all wives must give yikar, honor—to their husbands. The Vilna Gaon points out that Haman had a personal agenda to pursue honor since his own wife did not respect him. In the end, all the honor that Haman received and his promotion to the highest position under the king was fake; all of Haman’s honors were ultimately destined to be bestowed upon Mordechai, the person who was truly worthy of honor based on his superior character and connection with Hashem. Haman’s “honors” ultimately concluded with Haman parading Mordechai around the entire city announcing, “This is what is done to the person the king wants to honor.”

Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen says self-esteem is the key to any success. The lack of self-esteem is the source for sin. When a person doesn’t feel he has value, he lacks the reason to hold strong in the face of temptation.

The concept of self-worth is the greatest gift parents can give their children. In marriage as well, the Rambam rules that a wife has to give honor to her husband and a husband has to honor his wife. All the love and care and words of encouragement provided to one’s spouse is what helps build the spouse’s true feeling of inner self-worth.

When we read Parshas Zachor, we have to remember that in the end Amalek will be destroyed and those truly deserving of Hashem’s honor will be recognized by all. Part of this process is that we have to recognize and feel our inherent worth based on our respect for our fellow men and our connection with Hashem.

Rabbi Baruch Bodenheim is the Rosh Yeshiva of Passaic Torah Institute (PTI)/Yeshiva Ner Boruch. Rabbi Bodenheim can be reached at [email protected]. For more info about PTI and its Torah classes, visit www.pti.shulcloud.com