[Avodah] Honest Weights and Amaleik

[rabbirichwolpoe at gmail.com]

Background:
My former Congregation in Washington Heights Inwood consisted of
German-Jewish survivors. In fact it was proverbially "built upon the
rubble of Krystalnach". Amaleik and Naziism was a very sensitive topic
3 times a year:
    Parshat Zachor
    Beshalach
And
    Ki Teitze

Note in Devarim (mishneh Torah) we darshan "semuchot" (juxta-positions)

This "mini-catechism" below is derived from my drashot on Ki Teitze or
Parshot Zachor over the years.

This is certainly something to ponder for this Shabbat Hazzon!


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Drasha:

Q: In Ki Teitze, Why does the parsha of Amaleik follow the mitzva of
honest weights and measures?

A: To teach us that when Israel practices its business dishonestly,
Amaleik (anti-Semites) may come out and attack us.

Q: This sounds fairly harsh! Does this mean that Dishonest Jewish
Businessmen create "anti-Semitism"?

A: Not as I see it. Rather, the anti-Semites always lurk in the
"woodwork". And then, if/when Israel is dishonest in business,
God's Divine protection is thereby withdrawn. This in turn triggers
anti-Semitic "action.". IOW the anti-Semites always exist in an inert
state - until Israel violates Honest Weights and Measures. Only then
Amaleik (or Nazis) rear their ugly heads and attack us.

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Hashivenu Hashem Elecha v'nashuva...haddesh yamienu keqedem.

May we do Teshuva so as to merit the restoration of the Divine Magen
Avraham and the Divine Magen David.

GS
RRW
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