"ZACHOR"

12 Adar Bet 5784
Erev Shabbat Kodesh
Parashat Vayikra - Zachor

"So said Hashem, Master of Legions:  'I remembered what Amalek did to Israel, [the ambush] he emplaced against him on the way, as he went up from Egypt.  Now go and strike down Amalek and destroy everything he has, have no pity on him; kill man and woman alike, infant and suckling alike, ox and sheep alike, camel and donkey alike.'"  (Shmuel Alef 15: 2-3)

This is a case of if you have an enemy who wants to kill you, rise up and kill him first.  Because if you don't, he will surely come for you and he will show no mercy. 

"Letters were sent by courier to all the King's provinces, to destroy, to slay, and to exterminate all Jews, young and old, children and women, in a single day, the 13th day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their possessions."  (Megillat Esther 3:13)

[Mordechai] wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus...to the effect that the King had permitted the Jews of every single city to organize and defend themselves; to destroy, slay and exterminate every armed force of any people or province that threaten them, along with their children and women, and to plunder their possessions on a single day in all the provinces...upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar."   (Megillat Esther 8:10-12)

And here we are again.  

The complete obliteration of Amalek will occur at the time of the final redemption, immediately preceding the month of Nisan.  A trace of this obliteration is felt each year during Purim, which falls in the month preceding Nisan.  The reading of Parashas Zachor was therefore prescribed for this time of year.  (The Book of Our Heritage on Adar)

~SHABBAT SHALOM and PURIM SAMEACH~