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B"H
Parshat Ki Seitzei, September 14, 2019
The Day After
Remember what Amalek did to the Jews immediately after they left Egypt? You shall blot out the memory of Amalek. And never forget.
Being forever vengeful towards Amalek just doesn’t resonate well with me. Since I don’t know what they look like or who they represent, the idea of them being my perpetual enemy is difficult to digest. Furthermore, how can I be commanded not to forget something if I don’t have the capacity to remember?
I decided to delay writing this article until September 12th as my recounting of the terrible tragedy changed dramatically in the 24 hours from September 11th to September 12th. On 9/11/2001 I was living in Skokie, Illinois and immediately after morning services I started to hear about the plane crashing at the World Trade Center. I was in shock at the loss of life but unaware that anything more sinister was taking place. Ultimately, when the second plane hit the second tower, we understood that it was a terrorist attack on American soil. The memory of the buildings collapsing is forever ingrained in the minds of all Americans old enough to recall the fateful day.
However, on 9/12 anger replaced shock and the switch in my brain flipped from sadness to revenge. It was no longer a fictional tale about what might happen; it was all too real. Almost three thousand dead including four hundred brave firefighters and others heroes who assisted on the day. Recently, when I was in New York City I saw numerous fire stations with pictures of the men and women who died trying to save lives. It was then that I began to understand the Torah’s message in a more personal way. The Torah was telling me the following: Remember what happened to you personally when your enemies targeted your people. Never allow yourself to forget the evil perpetrated against you regardless of the passing of time. And always remember that even though the nineteen terrorists died, their ideologies continue to pose the greatest threat to our freedom and democracy.
Forgiveness may sound like a lofty ideal but I won’t turn the other cheek by forgiving those cowards who brutally murdered innocent Americans. We may be unable to recognize the nameless biblical characters represented by Amalek but we certainly know the radical Islamists who are living today. I believe compassion for those who continue to proudly embrace the theology and practices of the 9/11 terrorists are misguided. We must never give them the opportunity to act with impunity and must never forget their intent and capabilities. Failure to eradicate the threat or remember the events of yesteryear will serve to embolden our enemies. Zchor, v’al tishkach - remember and never forget is more important today than ever before.
However, I remember something else that also transpired on 9/12. On 9/12 there were no Jews or gentiles, no whites or blacks, we were Americans, linked together as family in confronting hate. We knew then that to overcome evil we had to embrace our country and each other with love. Americans waved their flags higher than ever before and the words
“proud to be an American” could be heard from the quivering lips of the average citizen. There were no Republicans or Democrats, we were all Americans standing together in the face of tyranny. We stood by one another as we knew deep down that victory depended on unity.
So I ask Americans eighteen years later to not only remember the tragedy of 9/11 but remember the aftermath. Remember that we have enemies in the world that truly seek the destruction of America but remember how we came together as a nation. Remember the heroes who gave their lives regardless of anyone’s political leanings but never forget that in the eyes of radical Islam we are all infidels. Remember to salute your flag with pride but never forget those whose ideologies denounce our democracy and freedom and delight in the burning of our Stars and Stripes.
So let us proudly reclaim the patriotic sentiments we shared on 9/12. Let us raise our flag with pride, humility, and respect. Let us show those who seek our demise that in spite of them we are stronger as a people and more determined as a nation. And let us pay homage and respect to the memories of all the first responders who perished while serving humanity. May their lives be an example to all Americans that each one of use can make a major difference. The day after the darkest day in America’s history proved why we are the envy of all other nations.
Shabbat shalom and proud to be an American,
Rabbi Jack Engel
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