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This lecture provides a deep spiritual and philosophical analysis of the war against Amalek, focusing on the metaphysical tension between Memory (Zichron) and Forgetfulness (Shichcha).
Here is a summary of the core themes:
1. The Two-Tiered War: Moses vs. Joshua
The lecture begins by asking why Moses sent Joshua to fight Amalek instead of leading the battle himself.
The Dual Reality: The war took place on two planes: Karba d’Leila (the war in Heaven) and Karba d’Leta’ata (the war on Earth).
The Roles: Moses, acting as a king, had to fight the spiritual root of Amalek in the higher realms. Joshua fought the physical manifestation on Earth.
Partial Victory: Joshua only "weakened" Amalek (Vayachlosh). Because the physical victory was incomplete, the Name of God and His Throne remain "incomplete" (Kes Yah) until Amalek is totally erased. However, Moses achieved a complete victory in the spiritual realm, which is why the first half of God’s name (Yud-Heh) is revealed.
2. The Philosophy of Memory and Routine
A central part of the talk defines what it truly means to "remember."
The Enemy of Memory is Routine: In Hebrew, something "common" or "routine" is called Milta d’Shchicha. The lecturer argues that we forget things not because they are far away, but because they become "routine."
Point of Creation: True memory (Zichron) is the ability to reconnect to the "Moment of Innovation" (Chiddush)—the very first second of a thing’s creation. Once a miracle or an event is categorized as "natural" or "routine," it enters the realm of forgetfulness.
3. Masculine and Feminine Principles (Form and Matter)
The lecturer connects memory to the Hebrew word for male (Zakar).
Zakar (Male/Form): Represents the "Point of Innovation" and "Form" (Tzura). It is the spark of creation that stands above time.
Nekeva (Female/Matter): Represents "Matter" (Chomer) and the "System." Matter tends to pull things into a routine, which leads to forgetfulness (Nasha).
Amalek’s Goal: Amalek seeks to strip the "Form" from reality and turn everything into "Matter" and "Routine," thereby making humanity forget God.
4. Amalek as the "Cooling" Force
The Torah describes Amalek as one who "happened upon you" (Karcha ba-derech), which the Sages also read as "cooled you down."
The Antidote of Fire: The lecture describes God and the Torah as Fire. Fire is a state of constant "becoming" and "doing." It has no "routine" because it is always burning now.
The Cooling Effect: Amalek’s spiritual essence is to "cool down" the fire of holiness. By turning the excitement of the Exodus into a cold, historical routine, Amalek causes the heart to forget the living presence of God.
5. Conclusion: Remembering to be Remembered
The commandment to "Remember what Amalek did to you" is an instruction to identify and erase the "System of Forgetfulness" within ourselves.
Reciprocity: The lecturer cites the concept of Hashem Tzilcha (God is your shadow). Just as a shadow mimics the person, God’s relationship with us mimics our relationship with Him. If we make an effort to "Remember" Him by staying connected to the "Point of Creation" and the "Fire" of Torah, He "Remembers" us with blessing and redemption.
