1. “It would be a piece of base self-deception for us to imagine that we could buy the friendship of the peoples and permanently assure it to ourselves by discarding the Jewish distinctiveness.”
2. “Haman’s ancestor Amalek fell upon Israel when it had not yet received these separatist laws at Sinai.”
3. “So long as there is night upon earth, the struggle between [Esau and Jacob] will continue, Jacob will not overcome Esau, nor Esau Jacob, even though Esau may prevent Jacob from setting his feet firmly and independently on earth. But when the morning breaks and the struggle will come to an end, this end will not lie in the abandonment and cessation of the mission of Jacob, Jacob will not be vanquished. Esau will say to Jacob, ‘Let me go, for the morning has broken, the time of conflict is over. Jacob, however says, ‘I will let you go, but not before you bless me, before you have admitted to me that I have not deserved this cursing, hatred and persecution, before you have fully acknowledged what a blessing I deserve—and blessed me.’”
4. “Until this day has dawned, however, Jacob must be armed and prepared for conflict and struggle …”
5. “Every rude touch of Amalek’s finger should be a warning to Judah to look around in his own circle and see where the Jewish will is slackening. For, as the Sages teach, Israel must somewhere or other have neglected his duties if Amalek comes.”
