Terumah 5781: Shabbat Zachor, the Mitzvah of Genocide

Introduction

The obligation to destroy Amalek and their descendants, which is read of Zachor, is one of the most problematic commandments in the bible. See how medieval commentators explained it away and how modern commentators honed even this difficult mitzva for contemporary meaning.

Sponsored by Zara 4.5, Jules Scarlett 2.5, and their parents Sacha Litman and Rochelle Behrens
in memory of their grandfather, Jack T. Litman, Z”L on his 11th Yahrzeit.
His only regret was to not have had the opportunity to meet his grandchildren.

Download the Source Sheet

Sources include: Deuteronomy 20:16-18 / Deuteronomy 24:16 / Deuteronomy 25:16-19 / Isaiah 2:4 / Psalms 97:10

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Credits
Rabbi David Levin-Kruss – Pardes Faculty and Host for Pardes from Jerusalem
Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer
Arlene Harel – Faculty Coordinator

David Levin Kruss

Rabbi David Levin-Kruss is an adjunct faculty member at Pardes. Originally from South Africa, he holds a B.A. and Teachers’ Certification in English Literature and Jewish Thought from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. After studying at Pardes as a student, he continued his learning in yeshiva and received rabbinic ordination from the Joseph and Gwendolyn Straus Rabbinical Seminary.

David previously served as Director of Jewish Education, Europe for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and earlier as faculty and director of special programs at Pardes. He also worked with the Melitz Centers for Jewish Zionist Education and served as community director at Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue in London, the largest Orthodox synagogue in Europe. David founded My Open Book Life Coaching and enjoys cooking in his spare time.