Is There a Non-Biological Amalek?

[edu]

There are some views that seem to limit the laws of Amalek to one specific Biological Group of people, while others expand the definition of Amalek.
Although in the fine details, you can find minor variations on the details within each school of thought, I am presenting something I found on the internet, because it is readily available (even though you could argue on the fine details).
http://www.torahmusings.com/2007/02/rav-soloveitchik-on-amalek-peshat-or/

Quote
Rav Soloveitchik on Amalek: Peshat or Derash?
By Gil Student
R. Joseph B. Soloveitchik (Kol Dodi Dofek, ch. 10) famously quoted his father, R. Moshe Soloveichik, as explaining the following discrepancy in the Rambam’s Mishneh Torah. In Hilkhos Melakhim (5:4) the Rambam writes that we cannot currently fulfill the commandment to destroy the seven Canaanite nations because “their memory has already been erased”, i.e. they have been mixed in with other nations and we cannot identify them. However, regarding the commandment to destroy Amalek (ibid. 5:5), the Rambam does not write that their memory has been erased. Why not? R. Moshe Soloveitchik explained that this commandment applies to any nation that acts like Amalek, i.e. tries to destroy the entire Jewish nation. [R. Joseph Soloveitchik proceeded to apply this category to the Nazis.]

Was this explanation meant literally and halakhically, or was it a homiletical tool to make an important point?

R. Nachum Rabinovitch (Melumedei Milchamah, ch. 3) argues the latter. He points out that in Moreh Nevuchim (3:50) the Rambam explicitly writes that the decree was against zera Amalek bilvad, only the descendents of Amalek. And in Sefer Ha-Mitzvos (positive commandment 187), the Rambam writes that just like the commandment to destroy the seven nations does not apply in every generation since they have been spread among the other nations and are unrecognizable, so too the commandment to destroy Amalek. Therefore, writes R. Rabinovitch, clearly the idea of “their memory has already been erased” also applies to Amalek and there is no halakhic concept of a “spiritual Amalek”. Then why doesn’t the Rambam write that Amalek’s memory has already been erased? R. Rabinovitch explains that this is precisely what is implied when the Rambam begins discussion of this commandment with “and also” (ve-chen). The same clause that was stated about the seven Canaanite nations also applies to Amalek.

However, it is possible that a careful reading of R. Soloveitchik’s words can answer these questions. I quote now from the Gordon translation, n. 23 (pp. 113-114):

I heard the answer from my father of blessed memory. Every nation that conspires to destroy the Jewish people is considered by the halakhah to be Amalek. My father added that as concerns Amalek itself we were commanded to perform two mitzvot: (a) [for the individual] to blot out the memory of Amalek, which is incumbent on everyone [to slay] any individual member of Amalek [that he encounters], as expounded in the Torah portion of Ki Tetzeh, “You shall blot out the memory of Amalek” (Deuteronomy 25:19), and (b) [for the community] to engage in communal military preparednes for war against Amalek, as it is explained in the Torah portion of B’shalach, “The Lord will wage war with Amalek from generation to generation” (Exodus 17:16). With relation to any other nation that stands ready to destroy us, we are [now after the time of Sennacherib] commanded to wage war against it [even] while it prepares for war against us, and our war against it is a “War of Mitzvah”, in accordance with the command of the Torah that “The Lord will wage war with Amalek from generation to generation.” However, the destruction of individuals, which is derived from the Torah portion of Ki Tetzeh, refers only to the biological descendants of Amalek. The words of Maimonides include the obligation to wipe out individuals, which does not apply to any other antion that plots destruction against the People of Israel. However, since the obligation of warring with Amalek pertains to such a nation (as well), he did not employ the phrase “And its memory has already been lost.”

In other words, there are two aspects (dinim) to this commandment:

Wiping out Amalek’s memory: This is learned from Deut. 25 and is an obligation on individuals. It only applies to descendents of Amalek, and therefore does not currently apply because “their memory has been already been erased.”
Warring with Amalek: This is learned from Ex. 17 and is on the community. It applies even to a nation that acts like Amalek.
Thus, the Rambam compared the aspect of “their memory has been already erased” in Sefer Ha-Mitzvos because it does, to an extent, apply to the commandment regarding Amalek. However, it does not apply to the entire mitzvah, which is why the Rambam omitted it specifically regarding Amalek.

[muman613]

Very interesting stuff edu...

[edu]

The Chafetz Chaim says in Sefer Mitzvot Hakatzar positive mitzva 77

And we will not know who is Amalek until Eliyahu the prophet comes and  informs us who he is and then we will obliterate his rememberance from under the heaven.

Is the Chafetz Chaim taking sides and saying there is only a Biological Amalek and we don't know who they are? Or the fact that he list this mitzva among the 77 positive commandments that are applicable in our time indicates there is an aspect of this commandment that we can fulfill today, namely attacking the non-Biological Amalek? I am unsure about his viewpoint.
Rabbi Meir Kahane in his book Oh Haraayon Chapter 12, believes it is possible for a nation who is not Biologically connected to Amalek to obtain the status of Amalek.
He does not make it clear if the non-Biological Amalek status is permanent or temporary.

[muman613]

Regardless of biology, Israel is commanded to wage a milchemet mitzvah (obligatory war) against enemies who have attacked them, and the war is the same as the war against biological Amalek.  Here is an excerpt from Mishneh Torah: Book of Judges: Kings and Wars: Chapter 5: Halacha 1:

What is considered as milchemet mitzvah? The war against the seven nations who occupied Eretz Yisrael, the war against Amalek, and a war fought to assist Israel from an enemy which attacks them.

So any nation that attacks Israel is in the same category as Amalek regardless of biology for purposes of war.

'In the same category' yet they are not subject to the command to obliterate Amalek. Amalek has certain spiritual properties (derived from the gematria of Amalek which equals Sofek/doubt). Amalek has a spiritual mission to separate the Jews from Hashem. This is why Amalek is singled out for the special treatment.

[edu]

The following is a new article by Rabbi Meir Kahane's brother, Rabbi Nachman Kahane.
He too, seems to be extending the concept of Amalek to include non-Biological Amalek
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/15332#.U8itOpSSw1I

Judaism: Fighting Amalek Again

This week's Torah words are dedicated to our soldiers.

Published: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 11:38 PM


Rabbi Nachman Kahana
Rabbi Nachman Kahana is an Orthodox Rabbinic Scholar, Rav of Chazon Yechezkel...
► More from this writer

Israel is again at war against Amalek. I dedicate this week’s divrei Torah to our holy soldiers of Tzahal (IDF), from privates to major generals, from regular army of 18 year olds to reserve soldiers of over 50 years old.

Qualifications for Serving in Hashem’s Army
In our parasha (weekly Torah reading), the nation is about to liberate the western side of Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel, beyond the Jordan River. While Moses was instructing the leadership regarding the equitable division of the land among the nation, the tribes of Reuben and Gad requested that their homesteads be in the fertile grazing lands of the eastern side of the Jordan. Moses understood this to mean that they would not take part in the war of liberation against the seven Canaanite nations and reacted in great anger (32,6):

האחיכם יבאו למלחמה ואתם תשבו פה:

Will your brothers will go to war and you will stay here!?

An agreement was arrived at whereby the tribes of Reuben and Gad would serve in the dangerous reconnaissance units and would return to their families on the eastern side of the Jordan only after all the other tribes would be settled, each man in his homestead.

In Moses’s mind, it was unthinkable that an able bodied Jew would not fight in the mitzva war of liberation of Eretz Yisrael and the protection of the Jewish nation.

There is no halakhic exemption from military service from a war defined as a Milchamat Mitzva (a war which is halakhically mandated). The only exemptions are those mentioned in Parshat Shoftim regarding a milchemet reshut" - war for political or economic gain - with the Sanhedrin’s approval, as elaborated by the Rambam (Melachim chapter 7).

When the troops are lined up in military formation, the Mashuach Milchama (a Kohen who is anointed for purposes of war) stands before them and declares: "Whoever has built a house, or planted a vineyard or became engaged to be married in the last year must leave the ranks to return home". Then a shoter (military police) declares before the troops that whoever is afraid must also return. Rambam explains תחילת נפילה ניסה - defeat begins with desertion - and soldiers in any of the above mentioned categories are more readily inclined to desert.

I believe that the call to those who built homes, or planted vineyards or were engaged to be married to drop from the ranks is actually intended as a face saving gesture by the Torah to permit those who are gripped with fear to leave under the guise of one of the three categories of home, vineyard and imminent marriage.

Because to serve in Hashem’s army one must be courageous, not meek; determined, not irresolute; of high morale, not cowardly; spirited, not timid; tenacious, not irresolute.

One who lacks these qualities will always find some excuse, either physical, mental or spiritual.

However, in fact it is not the excuse which exempts the shirker, it is the Torah’s dictate to exclude from the army’s ranks people of weak character, whose presence would cause great harm.

Passing the Test

The Book of Judges (chapter 7) relates that Hashem commanded Gideon to bring his army of ten thousand to a river bed, and there, reduce the number significantly through a test. Those who would take the water into their hands and draw it up to their lips are suited to be in the army of Hashem; those who bow to drink the water would be rejected.

Three hundred passed the test, the other 9700 failed and were sent home. And it was these 300 soldiers who defeated the entire Midianite army.

By singling out those individuals who did not bow down, Gideon was able to know who was of high personal character and tenacity so necessary for a soldier in Hashem’s army.

At the present moment there are over forty thousand Israeli troops on the borders of Gaza, poised to decimate the enemies of Israel, Am Yisrael. There is not one among them who does not feel that behind him are the millions of Jews who were slaughtered by the descendants of Esau and Ishmael during our 3500 year history.

How Hashem has changed the destiny of our people in the last 70 years, and how He has changed the character of our people. From the depths of the killing fields of Europe, where we were as helpless as sheep brought to the slaughter, to become today a nation whose army is the envy of the world.

And let us remember that above all we are a Jewish army. Last week the commander of the Givati Brigade sent a message to his troops which was later sent to all, as follows:

אני נושא עיני לשמיים וקורא עמכם, 'שמע ישראל ה' אלוקינו ה' אחד''. ה' אלוקי ישראלי היה נא מצליח דרכינו, אשר אנו הולכים ועומדים להילחם למען עמך ישראל כנגד האויב המנאץ שמך. בשם לוחמי צה"ל ובפרט לוחמי החטיבה והמפקדים, עשה ויתקיים בנו מקרא שכתוב 'כי ה' אלוהיכם ההולך עמכם להילחם לכם עם אויבכם להושיע אתכם' ונאמר אמן.

"I lift my eyes to the heavens and call out together with you,

"Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokaynu Hashem Echad,

"May we be successful in the path we will be going to fight for Your nation Israel against the enemy who desires to desecrate Your name.

"In the name of the fighters of Tzahal and the troops of the Givati Brigade and its commanders, make true the verse 'For the Lord your God who goes before you to make war for you with your enemies to bring you salvation' and let us say amen."

My son told me that his base has quite a large synagogue, bet knesset, but it can hold only one third of the soldiers who come to pray there daily. And so it is with army bases along the length and breadth of the land.

In the merit of our holy soldiers and nation, may we see the destruction of all our enemies and our return to the entire Promised Land, including the expanded Gush Katif which will cover all of the Gaza strip.

May all our soldiers return home safely.

May we all rejoice in Hashem’s continued miracles for His loyal people in Eretz Yisrael.

[muman613]

They are in the category of milchemet mitzvah, even if they are not required to be totally wiped out.  However, this brings up the question, who is supposed to be killed in a milchemet mitzvah?  Is it the whole population?  In a milchemet reshut, which is not an obligatory war, all males past majority should be killed (who did not flee or agree to a peaceful settlement or accept the Noahide laws).  Since a milchemet mitzvah is reserved for Israel's greatest enemies, perhaps this means that the whole population should be wiped out, even if the milchemet mitzvah is not being waged against Amalek or one of the 7 Canaanite nations.  However it doesn't explicitly state this, so I'm not sure.

See this weeks portion for a commanded war against Midian. I believe the halachas are derived from this account.

[edu]

Although Amalek was a descendant of Eisav (Esau) , Eisav had other descendants who were simply classified as Edomites and not Amalekites.
As opposed to Amalek which we are supposed to blot out the rememberance of Amalek under the sky (end of Dvarim/Deut. chapter 25)  it says of the other descendants of Eisav, namely the Edomites
Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother.... The children that begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of Hashem in the third generation. (Dvarim/Deut. 23 verse 8 and 9).
With this in mind, see the Talmud Baba Batra page 21 where the laws of Amalek on one occasion were supposed to have been applied to the Edomites. A mistake occurred because of the negilence of the Rabbi of Yoav, so the full force of the law was not applied.
See there for details.
The story there in the Talmud fits much better with the view that there is a non-Biological Amalek (although some people have tried to claim that sometimes Edomite means all descendants of Eisav while in the context of the Baba Batra page 21 it means specifically the Biological Descendants of Amalek).

[edu]

Another way to learn the Baba Batra page 21 is that Yoav was unsure which model of war in the Torah to compare his war against Edom to.
Because he misunderstood (due to the negligence of his teacher) the Amalek model, he came to the wrong conclusion how to behave in his war against Edom which fell some way in between the optional war model and the Amalek model of the Torah.

[edu]

http://www.yutorah.org/lectures/lecture.cfm/731463/Rabbi_David_Hirsch/Michias_Amalek

This rabbi provides leans towards the view that there is a Non-Biological Amalek
but he believes it is easier for the descendant of Non-Biological Amalek to convert to Judaism and/or to benefit from his property.
None of the proofs he brings is so strong to totally disprove the viewpoint that there is only a Biological Amalek.
In any case it is an interesting audio lecture.

[edu]

http://www.srugim.co.il/84159-%D7%94%D7%A8%D7%91-%D7%96%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%99-%D7%94%D7%97%D7%9E%D7%90%D7%A1-%D7%94%D7%95%D7%90-%D7%94%D7%A2%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%A7-%D7%A9%D7%9C-%D7%93%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%A0%D7%95
Translation of first paragraph of a Hebrew article.
Rabbi Eliyahu Zini: Hamas is the Amalek of our generation
From the Midrashim of the sages Rabbi Zini shows how Hamas of today acts exactly like Amalek and fights cowardly and specifically from tunnels and specifically in the Gaza Strip. The solution: it remains for us to demand from the government of Israel to act accordingly, that is to say it should not enter the government's thinking to have mercy on our enemies and thus endanger the lives of our soldiers.

[Tag-MehirTzedek]

http://machonshilo.org/en/eng/list-audio-shiurim/35-hagim/455-purim-who-is-amaleq

Purim - Who is Amaleq?