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The biblical requirement to remember the abominable actions of the Amalekite nation is fulfilled by reading Parashat Zakhor, which includes the incident and the injunction. The Sages instituted it be read on the Shabbat before Purim. They associated the mitzva with Purim, as Haman the Agagite and many of his co-conspirators were of Amalekite descent.
There are three Torah commandments relating to Amalek:
- Remember what Amalek did to us.
- Do not forget what Amalek did to us.
- Wipe out Amalek's descendants.
The Jewish nation has a challenging role in the world. The message of ideals and faith God wishes us to convey to the world provokes the wicked against us. This persecution began with the Amalekites, and it is why no nation has been more persecuted throughout history than the Jews.
Instead of developing agriculture or industry, the Amalekites supported themselves by stealing and looting. Living on the edges of the desert, they would periodically attack encampments, plundering, murdering, and selling the rest of the inhabitants – women and children too – into slavery. They tried to do this to the Israelites immediately after the Exodus. By nature, Jews are merciful and kind, and many mitzvot in the Torah cultivate these traits. Therefore, the Jews are naturally inclined to forgive the Amalekites for their attack. However, God commands us to remember the Amalekites' evil and wipe them out. This ensures we remain aware of the existence of evil in the world, and the necessity to fight it. Only afterwards can we repair the world.
Nevertheless, an Amalekite who agrees to observe the seven Noahide laws (2:4 above) no longer has the status of an Amalekite, and may not be killed. Moreover, we are obligated to offer Amalekites peace before waging war against them. We give them the opportunity to abandon murder and robbery and accept the seven Noahide laws (17:22 above).
Halakhic authorities debate whether an Amalekite who wants to convert to Judaism may be accepted. However, all agree an Amalekite who assimilated into another nation no longer has the status of an Amalekite, and those descendants may convert. Accordingly, even though Haman was of Amalekite stock, the Sages state his descendants taught Torah in Bnei Brak.
