Amalek and the Natural Order

by: David S. Devor
Project Mind Foundation

The national mission to destroy Amalek and eradicate its memory is one of the most powerful and enigmatic themes in Judaism and ties beautifully into the mind/matter question. For those who require background, very briefly, Amalek (Amalekites) was a marauding nation that picked off (Zanvu) stragglers as the Israelites "exodused" Egypt.(1)

There is a word for ambush (Arav) in Hebrew but the unique use of the word "Zanvu" (Zanav=tail) emphasizes that it was the weak and the old who were picked off and plundered. This is the best biblical illustration I know of portraying Darwin's principle of "natural selection" through "survival of the fittest." It, indeed, represents what we commonly know as the "natural order" in which all life must struggle to nourish itself ("by the sweat of your brow").(2)

According to the teachings of Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ashlag, z"l, who follows the Lurianic system of Kabbalah, the "natural" process implies "giving-in-order-to-receive," or in modern language, "working-in-order-to-eat." Eating, surviving and reproducing ("in sorrow") appear to be the very essence of nature, and working (effort) the means to attain them.

But Judaism, in general, and Kabbalah, in particular, point to what is called "Me'al HaTeva" (above nature) which is also associated with the Sabbatical Millennium and the reign of the Mashiach (messiah). This implies a reversal of the natural order whereby we "receive-in-order-to-give," i.e., channel blessings into this world from above. This translates into "eating-for-the-purpose-of-working" and presumes that we were designed for work and that eating is only a means to that end.

Working-in-order-to-eat (giving-in-order-to-receive) implies a materialist paradigm in which existence is seen as being substantially physical and its resources limited. It implies a "dog eat dog" world, "red in tooth and claw," in which all facets of life are conditioned by economic considerations and governed by hierarchies of power that regulate the distribution of scarce resources. It is a world where we end up either as wage slavers or as wage slaves. This is the order of Amalek that is ever with us.(3)

The eating-in-order-to-work paradigm, on the other hand, implies a "miraculous" (Nissit) order in which the creative vision of mind (Mochin) assiduously assails the restrictions of the natural order which, for the moment, enslaves us by means of our body's physical needs combined with our ignorance of nature's secrets. This messianic paradigm presumes that, as creatures made in the "image" of our Creator, we are unlimited in our creative potential (Hashapa'a) implying our potential for revealing the sacred and eternal within matter and nature through unlimited material abundance (Shefa).

We are still some way from recognizing this but trends in science and technology (including nanotechnology) are beginning to point in this direction. Only ignorance and confusion separate us from higher knowledge and possibilities. The coming abundance is prefigured in miracles with water, oil and bread performed by the prophet Elisha (Kings 1), including reviving the dead. It is also hinted at in the myth of the "white donkey" (Chamor Lavan) destined to convey the Massiach. "Donkey" (Chamor) is code for matter (Chomer) and "white" (Lavan) indicates purification or transmutation (Loven Elyon). Material transformation is clearly the instrument of abundance.

The influence (Hashpa'a) of unlimited abundance (Shefa) is needed to overcome the restriction of mind and spirit imposed upon us by the materialist paradigm of Amalek. Once material need is eliminated, the natural order, desire-to-give-in-order-to-receive, will be likewise eliminated since, with material possessions completely devalued, there will be nothing of a material nature left to cling to or fight for. Pockets, drawers and cupboards will become obsolete. "Replicators" will materialize the objects of our need and then recycle them. The natural "dog eat dog," "survival of the fittest" process will be defunct.

The messianic paradigm will reveal the many levels and dimensions of spiritual need and our unlimited human desire will, by default, attach itself to spiritual values as we discover that physical matter is only the crust of reality. The desire-to-receive knowledge (Da'at), understanding (Binah) and wisdom (Chochma) for-the-sake-of-giving (sharing) will reign universally. Tikkun Olam (world emendation) implies a paradigm shift, a transformed world order, a revolution. What was, will no longer be.(4)

It is often asked, how can we eradicate the memory of Amalek if we are commanded to "remember"? Amalek represents the natural paradigm of "natural selection." Once the supernatural, metaphysical, messianic paradigm takes hold, the old materialist paradigm will be forgotten like a bad dream. The cruel world of greed, separation and conflict(5) will be swallowed up and Amalek will vanish forever.(6) In the face of the ecstasy of this higher existence, the importance we presently attribute to suffering will fade like a candle in sunlight. As hard as it is for us to believe now, we shall remember that suffering, in gratitude, as one of the necessary links in the chain of the miraculous, metaphysical birth granted us by the all-merciful Creator. We shall remember the miracle and the blessing; we shall forget the pain and confusion the experiential basis (including memory) for which, will have been eradicated.

References:

1. Deut 25:17 Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way 25:18 when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of G-d.
   

2. Gen 3:19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."
   

3. Exod 17:16 He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the L-RD. The L-RD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation."
   

4. Num 24:20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and uttered his oracle: "Amalek was first among the nations, but he will come to ruin at last."
   

5. Isaiah 11:6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.
   

   Isaiah 11:7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

   Isaiah 11:8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra and the...

   Isaiah 11:9 young child put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
   

6. Deut 25:19 When the L-RD your G-d gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!