How are we to understand ‘VE-LO YARE ELOKIM’?
Our parasha ends with the commandments to remember what Amalek perpetrated upon us on our way out of Egypt, and to eradicate any remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens. In describing what Amalek did, the Torah states:
Remember what Amalek did to you, on the way, as you were leaving Egypt; that he happened upon you on the way, and he killed all the weaklings at your rear among you, when you were faint and exhausted, VE-LO YARE ELOKIM. (Devarim 25:17-18).
How are we to understand ‘VE-LO YARE ELOKIM’? Logically, this should be translated as and [you] did not fear G-d, as grammatically, whenever a verb does not have a subject immediately preceding it, we are to go to the preceding noun. Therefore, just as it was you (Benei Yisrael) who were faint and exhausted, it was you (Benei Yisrael) who did not fear God. However, both Rashi and Ibn Ezra understand the verb ‘YARE’ as referring to the third person past tense – i.e. Amalek – that Amalek did not fear G-d in attacking Benei Yisrael. Proofs for this approach can be found in the cantillation notes, which make a clear separation (an etnachta) between the phrases ‘faint and exhausted’ and ‘did not fear G-d’. The Be’er Yitzchak states that there was concern that if Benei Yisrael was to be considered the subject of ‘VE-LO YARE ELOKIM’, than this would mitigate Amalek’s responsibility for their actions. As well, Rav Samet suggests that if the verb was to be understood in its present tense, it would have stated ‘EIN-CHA’, not ‘LO’ as the negation.
However, this approach is not unanimous among the commentators. The Chikuni brings the Mekhilta that the phrase ‘VE-LO YARE ELOKIM’ refers to Benei Yisrael as we originally understood. Since Benei Yisrael either slackened from the commandments in their hand, or they did not yet have commandments to protect them (depending on differing versions in the Midrash), they were susceptible to being attacked. Despite the fear that Amalek’s responsibility might be somehow lessened, the message that Benei Yisrael’s fate is ultimately in their control is an empowering, strengthening message that underlies much of Sefer Devarim.
Courtesy of Yeshivat Har Etzion - www.etzion.org.il