Shabbat Zachor

Why is a blessing not recited when reading Parshat Zachor?

Shalom!

Thank you for your questinon.

That is correct, a blessing is not recited on the mitzva of remembering Amalek as is done before performing most other mitzvot. This is because the mitzva to remember Amalek is essentially a component of the mitzva to destroy Amalek. No blessing is recited on a mitzva that requires destruction, even of an evil enemy nation. God is not happy at the death of anyone – even the most wicked.

Another reason a blessing is not recited is because it is a mitzva that cannot be performed in its entirety nowadays – we can only “remember” Amalek -- we are unable to destroy them, as there is no nation today that can be positively identified as Amalek.

It is also explained that a blessing is not recited on the mitzva of remembering Amalek because although we only read parshat Zachor once a year, the mitzva to remember Amalek is actually a constant mitzva that applies every day. As such, it is a mitzva without a specific time frame or frequency and, therefore, a blessing is not recited.

One who is unable to hear parshat Zachor from a Torah scroll should at least read it out loud from a Chumash. Furthermore, one who missed the reading of parshat Zachor can still fulfill the mitzva by listening attentively to the Torah reading on Purim morning, which deals with the same theme, this is even in an instance that one read it from a Chumash on Shabbos should still try to hear the Torah reading Purim morning.

Maharam Schik, OC 336; Chaim Sha’al 91; Ritva, Yoma 38a; Kaf Hachaim, OC 685:29; Magen Avraham 685:1.