NAALEH.COM and YU TORAH Parshat Chukat 5772: Amalek - Attack and Awakening By: Mrs. Shira Smiles

Bnei Yisroel have completed their forty years of wandering in the desert. Bnei Yisroel are now again about to enter the land promised to them. Aharon has died and the clouds of glory surrounded Bnei Yisroel in his merit have disappeared. Once again, they are attacked by an enemy trying to block their advance. The Torah relates the events: The Canaanite king of Arad, who dwelled in the south, heard that Israel had come by the route of the spies, and he warred against Israel and took a captive from it. Israel made a vow to Hashem and said, “If He will deliver this people into my hand, I will consecrate their cities.” Who was this Canaanite king and why did he choose to attack now? If defeating Israel was his goal, why did he just take one captive instead of waging an all out war? What is the significance of the ambiguous wording of the prayer Bnei Yisroel uttered, and why did they consecrate the spoils of this battle specifically to Hashem? Further, what is the significance of the route they were now taking? These are some of the questions raised by the seemingly extraneous words in these few verses. click here for Summary by Channie Koplowitz Stein.