Why do we make noise when Hamans name is read from the Megillah?
The custom has fascinating Biblical origins. Exodus, Chapter 17, describes a bitter battle in the wilderness between the Israelites and the soldiers of King Amalek. Although Israel prevailed, the Torah records G-d saying to Moses: “Write this for a memorial-in the book… I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens. “(Exodus 17:14) In Deuteronomy 25:15, this curse on Amalek is repeated: “…You shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; you shall not forget.” The sense of the passage is clear. G-d is telling the Children of Israel that the descendants of Amalek will always be their enemies and thus to “blot them out”. Indeed, history proved that to be true. Many years later, Agag, then king of Amalek, became a bitter foe of the Jewish people, a 51aughterer of women and. children. In fact, King Saul was dethroned for sparing Agag’s life after Israel military victory over the Amalekites. The prophet Samuel executed Agag, and the name of Amale
