Deuternomy 25:17

זָכ֕וֹר אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה לְךָ֖ עֲמָלֵ֑ק בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ בְּצֵאתְכֶ֥ם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃

Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey, after you left Egypt

After leaving Egypt, the Israelites were in a vulnerable position. Tired and anxious, they were in a new place, and pressed to make haste. Even though they were heading toward a better future, change is never easy, especially right at the very beginning. It’s at this point that the Israelites were attacked by the tribe of Amalek. We are commanded to remember this treachery, to blot out the name of Amalek on a daily basis. 

We learn that just as the gematria of the name “Amalek” is 240, the word “safek” or “doubt” in english is also 240. Doubt attacks us in the same way Amalek does. Even when we make the courageous choice to walk toward a better future, doubt strikes when we least expect it. In moments when we are vulnerable, we might wonder if we really have what it takes to make it to the promised land, so to speak. Like Amalek, doubt creeps in at times (2:00 am if you’re like me) that we aren’t prepared for, and seems to have a knack for finding our weak spots.

Especially as we approach the High Holy Days and consider the person we would like to become this coming year, this lesson is more important than ever. Our time is too precious not to strive to be the people we know we can become, and strive to accomplish the goals we hope to achieve. And when doubt creeps in to try and deter us, our job is to take it head on, blot out its name, and never turn back.