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Why did Amalek disguise themselves as Canaanites when attacking Israel? The analysis explores how Amalek's deception created a different halachic framework - transforming a milchemes Hashem (ה׳) (war against Amalek) into a din of cheirem (obligation to destroy the seven nations completely). This tactical disguise backfired, subjecting them to the stricter Canaanite laws requiring total annihilation.
This shiur analyzes the cryptic battle narrative in Parshas Chukas where the Canaanite king of Arad attacks Israel. Following Rashi (רש"י)'s interpretation, Rabbi Zweig explains that this was actually Amalek disguising themselves as Canaanites after hearing of Aharon's death and the departure of the protective clouds. The analysis focuses on understanding Amalek's seemingly flawed strategy - they changed their language to speak like Canaanites but retained their distinctive Amalekite clothing. The shiur develops a fundamental distinction between two types of warfare in halacha (הלכה). Milchemes Amalek (war against Amalek) is described as a divine war focused on destroying the nation and its ideology, similar to waging war where victory eliminates the threat. In contrast, the obligation regarding the seven Canaanite nations (shivas ha'amim) is characterized as mishpat (judgment) rather than war - a systematic obligation to eliminate every individual, similar to carrying out a death sentence.
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Parshas Chukas 21:1-3
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