When we say that we practice that mitzvah aren't we saying we are being considerate to other around us. And doesn't the Torah talk about specifically being an Or L'Goyim, a light unto the nations? Why are we supposed to destroy Amalek and break the mitzvah of ben adam l'chavero? Amalek wanted to destroy us, but didn't a bunch of other nations?
Maybe it's because they tried to annihilate us so many times, and other nations only did once? Does ben adam l'chavero only apply to Jewish people? I need someone to help me understand this, because I feel that it is an opinion question that only you can help me answer. Please post your answers! I WANT TO HEAR THEM AND FIGURE THIS OUT!
This was a very interesting blog post, Sophie. In response to your question, Amalek is an exception. The fact that their attack is described in such great length pays tribute to that fact. Amalek battled Bnei Yisrael with such cowardice that there is no excuse/reason/justification to treat them with the idea of "ben adam le'chaveiro." Throughout the Torah, we see the actions of our enemies, but Amalek attacked the CHILDREN. And the ELDERLY. And the WOMEN. They couldn't even fight from the front. Anywho, those are my thoughts.
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