Emcheh Versus Timcheh: A Major Hashkafic Point

Many years ago, I merited speaking with Rav Reuven Feinstein. He noted that Sefer Shemot (17:14) states that Hashem will destroy Amalek (“Emcheh et zecher Amalek”). However, in Sefer Devarim (25:19), we are instructed, “Timcheh et zecher Amalek—Destroy Amalek.” How do we account for the seemingly contradictory formulations of emcheh or timcheh? Rav Feinstein told me that a major hashkafic point is inherent in this contradiction’s resolution, but he did not articulate the point. Therefore, in this essay, we set forth what we think is the major hashkafic point to which he alluded.

Our Great Partnership With Hashem

Sefer Shemot and Sefer Devarim do not contradict. Instead, both are correct since we eliminate Amalek together with Hashem. In addition, partnering with Hashem to eradicate Amalek is one example of our working in tandem with Hashem.

Shabbat 10a extols a rabbinic judge who properly resolves a monetary dispute as Hashem’s partner in maaseh Bereishit (creation). Similarly, Kiddushin 30b famously describes Hashem, mother and father as partnering to create a child. Ramban (Bereishit 6:19) explains unforgettably how Noach invested 120 years in building the teivah, followed by Hashem miraculously expanding it to fit all creatures and their food for a year. Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik expounds beautifully on how we jointly sanctify the Shabbat with Hashem by reciting Kiddush. Finally, the Tanur Shel Achnai story (Bava Metzia 59b) reflects the great partnership between Hashem and us in the halachic process. What a magnificent gift from Hashem to privilege us with being His partner! Hashem empowers and dignifies us with such a noble task!

Purim is a prime example of Hashem partnering with us to conquer Amalek. Esther topples Haman by ingeniously inviting him to attend the party she made for Achashverosh. However, as brilliant as Esther’s plan and execution was, it would have failed without Hashem’s intervention.

Hashem’s Intervention

In Megillat Esther, we can identify three “fingerprints” as proof of Hashem’s subtle manipulation of events on our behalf. These include incredible timing, our enemies acting inexplicably foolish and the unfolding of many improbable events against all expectations.

Incredible timing is a tell-tale sign of divine intervention subtly influencing events. The exquisite timing of Achashverosh happening to read about Mordechai saving his life just as Haman entered the palace courtyard, and Achashverosh reentering the palace just as Haman fell on Esther’s bed, are clear manifestations of Hashem’s subtle hand. Esther’s selection as queen surmounted staggering odds. Enemy foolishness abounds in Megillat Esther, such as permitting a woman to serve as a queen without knowing even a shred of information regarding her background, and Haman impulsively falling on Esther’s bed instead of waiting for things to calm down. Had he patiently waited, Haman would have likely emerged unscathed. His hasty falling down on Esther’s bed exacerbated his own situation.

Blending Hashem’s Intervention And Our Actions

The Purim miracle is a prime example of the delicate interplay between human effort (hishtadlut—“timcheh”) and divine intervention (hashgacha pratit—“emcheh”). Esther’s idea to invite Haman to the parties was a stroke of genius that set the stage for our deliverance from the evil decree. Yet without hashgacha pratit (emcheh), facilitating Esther’s rise to the queenship (against all odds), Mordechai saving Achashverosh from Bigtan and Teresh (perfect timing for Mordechai to discover the plot), Haman entering the courtyard to ask permission to hang Mordechai just at the time that Achashverosh was reminded of Mordechai foiling the plot (against all odds and enemies acting foolishly), and Haman falling on Esther’s bed just as Achashverosh reentered the palace (exquisite timing), the Jews would not have been saved.

Despite Esther’s talent and dedication to ensure her brilliant plan’s seamless execution (timcheh), the strategy could not have worked without Hashem tilting these events (emcheh). Many circumstances had to align harmoniously for our fate to be reversed. The discerning reader of the Megillat Esther readily recognizes Hashem’s involvement and recites the blessing of “Sheasa nissim la’avoteinu—Who made miracles for our ancestors,” intently before he reads the Megillah on Purim.

Conclusion: Emcheh and Timcheh on Purim

Purim perfectly illustrates the emcheh/timcheh partnership in eliminating Haman and his supporters. No wonder why we read “timcheh” on Shabbat Zachor and “emcheh” on Purim. Right before the morning Megillah reading, we read Shemot 17:14, recording Hashem’s role in destroying Amalek (emcheh). Hearing “emcheh” alerts us to search for and discover Hashem’s subtle hand in the victory over the Amaleki Haman and his followers. Hashem’s “emcheh” facilitates us to fulfill our “timcheh” side of the partnership.

Postscript: The Miraculous Capture of Adolf Eichmann

The incredible 1960 Mossad capture of Adolf Eichmann, yemach shemo, in Argentina was a modern-day emcheh/timcheh combination to destroy Amalek. Eichmann’s son foolishly dated a woman who—unbeknownst to him—was Jewish. This relationship directly led to Eichmann’s discovery. The Mossad overcame staggering odds to capture Eichmann, then hid him for days and brought him out of the country, despite Argentinian authorities’ (many of whom were Nazis or Nazi-sympathizers) knowledge of Eichmann’s abduction. Finally, exquisite timing was on grand display when the Israeli agents left their Argentinian “safe house” moments before Argentinian police raided the safe house. This perfect timing is reminiscent of Yaakov Avinu leaving Yitzchak Avinu’s home exactly before Eisav entered to receive his bracha (Bereishit 27:30).

Although the Mossad acted brilliantly and bravely in capturing Eichmann (timcheh), they would never have succeeded without Hashem’s covert assistance (emcheh). A careful examination of the Eichmann capture reveals Hashem’s “fingerprints” throughout this incredible episode. The emcheh/timcheh partnership is also evident in our time, just as in the days of Megillat Esther. May Hashem continue to partner with our endeavors to eliminate our many enemies!

Rabbi Jachter serves as the rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County, and a get administrator with the Beth Din of Elizabeth. Rabbi Jachter’s 18 books, including a brand new one entitled “In the King’s Court: Exploring Megillat Esther — Our Most Subtle Victory,” may be purchased at Amazon and Judaica House.