[Avodah] The Nature of Doubt

[Richard Wolberg]

...Because they tested G-d, saying: "Is G-d among us, or not?" Then  
came Amalek, and waged war with Israel in Rephidim (17:7-8)

After all that they had seen G-d do on their behalf -- the Ten Plagues  
brought upon Egypt to free them, the splitting of the sea, the "bread  
from heaven" that descended each morning to nourish them -- how could  
the people of Israel possibly question, "Is G-d amongst us or not"?

But such is the nature of doubt. There is doubt that is based on a  
rational query. There is doubt that rises from the doubter's  
subjective motives and desires. But then there is doubt pure and  
simple: doubt that neutralizes the most compelling evidence and the  
most inspiring experience with nothing more than a cynical shrug.

Amalek is the essence of doubt, of irrational challenge to truth.  
(Thus the Hebrew word Amalek has a numerical value of 240 -- the same  
as the word safek, "doubt"). Because the people of Israel had  
succumbed to the Amalek within their own souls, they became vulnerable  
to attack by Amalek the nation.

(The Chassidic Masters)
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