The Rebbe’s explanation of the connection between these two mitzvahs is both instructive and eye-opening.
Rashi, quoting the Midrash, explains the juxtaposition, saying that if you use fraudulent weights and measures, you should be worried about provocation from the enemy. He cites the verse from Proverbs, “Deceitful scales are an abomination of the L-rd; when willful wickedness comes, then comes disgrace.”
This means that after you intentionally sin by using deceitful scales, the enemy will provoke you into war, leading to disgrace.
This may seem harsh; the punishment does not appear to fit the crime. While cheating with weights and measures is wrong, does it warrant a lethal attack by our enemies?
The answer lies in understanding the essence of Amalek. In Chassidic teachings, Amalek represents apathy—a cold, uncaring approach to Torah and mitzvahs. When the verse says that Amalek “encountered you on the way,” the Hebrew word used for “encountered” is karcha, which also means, “cooled you off.” Amalek is the voice that denies Divine Providence, suggesting that everything is mere coincidence. He chills your excitement for Judaism. When you become excited about prayer, Torah study, or giving charity, Amalek says, “Relax. Chill.”
How does Amalek’s attitude infiltrate our lives? It starts with dishonesty in weights and measures, and, on a deeper level, with a lack of proper balance in education and child-raising.
Parents and educators must teach children that there is a balance between worldly and Torah values. Torah, mitzvahs, and Judaism should be at least as important as our secular pursuits, if not more.
For example, when a child comes home from school with straight As and the parents make a big deal about it—perhaps with a special reward or outing—but when the same child comes home from Hebrew School with straight Alephs, the parents merely say, “Nice,” the child receives the message that Torah studies are less important than secular studies.
Another example the Rebbe offers is when children see their parents spending money freely on this, that, or the other, but they are less generous when it comes to giving charity or buying items needed for mitzvahs. The child concludes that worldly things are important, and Judaism is not.
For this child, the physical and spiritual aspects of life become unbalanced—the weights and measures are off. This imbalance can, G-d forbid, lead to apathy. A child must be taught that Torah, Judaism, and G-dly values are as important, if not more so, than secular or non-Jewish values.
Each mitzvah brings another mitzvah in its wake. May we merit to perform the mitzvah that will finally tip the scales and usher in the Ultimate Redemption with the coming of our righteous Moshiach—for good things are brought about through good people—may it be speedily in our days. Amen.
