Page 36 - HaMizrachi #7BackgroundwithJIF-Purim

Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

Haftarat Parashat Zachor

SHAUL & AMALEK

he Haftarah for Shabbat Zachor, Shaul’s plan is to offer the shlamim the honor of G-d: “honor me before the
which begins as G-d commands sacrifices during this grand celebration, elders of my people and before Israel…”
T Shaul to eradicate (l’hachrim) while the highlight of the festivities will (15:30).
everything belonging to Amalek (Samuel be the public execution of Agag by Shaul
1, 15:2-3), not only describes the story himself – the victorious king of Israel. 1 Despite his perhaps noble intentions,
of Shaul’s war against Amalek, but can the result was exactly the opposite of
also help us appreciate what G-d expects Therefore, when Shaul first encounters what G-d had intended. Precisely by
from the King of Israel. Shmuel at Gilgal he proudly announces: not taking any booty from Amalek, the
"I have fulfilled G-d’s commandment" people would have better realized its
Even though this mitzvah is usually (15:13). Even after Shmuel asks about religious significance. Now, by turning
understood as total prohibition against the sheep and cattle (15:14), Shaul this victory into a national celebration,
taking the spoils of war, we find a slightly responds: “From the Amalekites the people will identify this victory as
different definition in the battle of they were taken... to offer korbanot Shaul’s. Too much glory for the king; not
Jericho. When Joshua is commanded to to Hashem, your G-d, and the rest enough glory for G-d.
make the city cherem (Joshua 6:16-18), was totally destroyed (hecheramnu)”
looting for personal use is forbidden; (15:15). Shmuel reluctantly heeds Shaul’s plea
however dedicating the gold and silver not to leave the celebration (15:31), but
for G-d’s House is permitted (6:24)! Shaul probably considered this the to minimize the educational damage,
most proper form of celebration. Had the Prophet himself will execute Agag
This allows us to understand Shaul’s not Moshe Rabbeinu himself built a instead of Shaul (15:32-33). Agag will
behavior in a much more positive light. mizbayach (to offer korbanot) and made be executed as an ‘enemy of G-d’ rather
After their victory over Amalek, Shaul a memorial after Bnei Yisrael’s very first than a ‘defeated general.’ For that very
(and the people) decide to take some of victory over Amalek? 2 same reason, Agag is ‘relieved’ once
the best sheep and cattle from the cherem he sees that Shmuel will perform the
to offer sacrifices to G-d. So why is G-d Therefore, when Shmuel implies execution. 4
so upset? Shaul has not been meticulous in
following G-d’s command (15:16-19), Shaul’s obsession with kabdeini na —
The answer may lie in the underlying Shaul insists: “I have listened to G-d’s “honor me” (15:30) becomes his critical
motivation for taking from this cherem command, and I have followed the flaw, and hence he is unfit to be the King
(see 15:9). Shaul and the people have path upon which G-d sent me, and the of Israel. G-d will choose the House of
no mercy on the sheep, for the animals people took from the sheep and cattle David instead, for King David will always
are about to be slaughtered as sacrifices, solely to offer korbanot to G-d in Gilgal” put the honor of G-d before his own, as
which they will then eat. The people (15:20-21). reflected in the Psalms and in his desire
have mercy on their stomachs, not on to build a House for G-d.
the sheep! As Shmuel is not convinced (see 15:22-
23), Shaul has no choice other than to
Similarly, Shaul has no mercy on Agag, formally confess: “… ‘I have sinned, for 1 See 31:4.
for he plans to execute him the next I have transgressed G-d’s command, 2 See Exodus 17:15-16; note “ki yad kes Kah...!”
day. But why kill him in battle when for I feared the people and listened to 3 Note how his confession is almost identical to
he can glorify himself by executing his them...’” (15:24). that of Pharaoh (compare 15:24-25 to Exodus
adversary at a national celebration? 10:16-17).
However, Shaul’s admission of guilt is far 4 15:32 - achen sar mar haMavet.
To support this explanation, note how from sincere. He will say whatever may
Shaul invites the entire nation to Gilgal be necessary to appease the Prophet,
for a public celebration of the conquest but his primary goal is to continue with Rabbi Menachem Leibtag is an
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of Amalek (see 15:12). Note the phrase the festivities. Knowing the entire internationally acclaimed Tanach
hiney matziv lo yad — “behold he is nation has gathered for the celebration, scholar and online Jewish education
making a memorial...” Shaul’s concern is his own honor, NOT pioneer mleibtag@gmail.com

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