The word of the Lord then came to Samuel: 11 "I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned away from Me and has not carried out My commands." Samuel was distressed and he entreated the Lord all night long. (Shmuel Alef 15: 10-11)

This week’s Haftarah portion is different because we are celebrating Shabbat Zachor. 

Shabbat Zachor means Sabbath of Remembering.  It is celebrated on the Shabbat before Purim. In addition to the regular Torah reading, three verses from Deuteronomy are read (25: 17-19) which describe the attack by Amalek upon the Israelites during their trek through the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt.

I will once again try with the help of The Holy One, Blessed be He, to link the Torah portion with Shabbat Zachor.  The Haftarah for Shabbat Zachor recalls the war with Amalek during the time of King Saul. The leader of the Amalekites at that time was King Agag, an ancestor of Haman, who is one of the central characters in the story of Purim.

King Shaul (Saul) was commanded by God to kill all the Amalekites.

"This said the Lord of Hosts: I am exacting the penalty for what Amalek did to Israel, for the assault he made on them on the road, on their way up from Egypt. 3 Now go, attack Amalek, and proscribe all that belongs to him. Spare no one, but kill all men and women, infants and sucklings, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys!"(V 2)  (Emphasis mine)

The verse above tells us that Saul did not fully carry out God’s instructions.  Later on Samuel confronts Saul about the matter.

“When Samuel came to Saul, Saul said to him, "Blessed are you of the Lord! I have fulfilled the Lord’s command." 14 "Then what," demanded Samuel, "is this bleating of sheep in my ears, and the lowing of oxen that I hear?" (V 13-14)  Samuel also advised him that” Because you rejected the Lord’s command, He has rejected you as king."  (V 23b) 

You see, because Saul spared the sheep he became a Baaad  king (with apologizes to sheep everywhere).

Shabbat Zachor is applicable to us today for two main reasons.  It is not only to remember the sin of Amalek because that is important.  However, I think more importantly it is a reminder to carry out the commandments of God fully in our lives.  We must never do anything half heartedly for God.  Because If we do things half baked then we can lose out on many blessings, just as Saul lost the confidence of God as king.

So, on this Shabbat Zachor remember to do your best for God and don’t be Baaad.