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Parashat Zachor Spurs Debate on Modern 'Amalek'—Strike Enemies or Eradicate an Ideology?

The latest essays apply the text to real-world enemies or restrict it to combating a corrupt culture.

Overview

  • Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliahu argues that Iran and its agents in Gaza and Lebanon constitute Amalek and says targeting IRGC figures, Yahya Sinwar, and Hassan Nasrallah fulfills the commandment.
  • He cites Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu in backing this view and praises Members of Knesset pursuing a death penalty for terrorists involved in the October 7 attack.
  • An Israel National News editorial revisits Saul’s sparing of Agag to warn that leniency toward openly genocidal foes is dangerous, pointing to October 7 as a contemporary lesson.
  • Rabbi Ilai Grunwald highlights Chassidic teachings that locate Amalek in doubt and pride and, invoking Rambam, frames the mitzvah as a war on a destructive culture that could forfeit its status by accepting moral norms.
  • Across the pieces, the arguments are presented as religious and editorial positions influencing public discourse rather than binding legal policy.