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Adolf Hitler is often said to have been from 'Amalek. I've even heard it said not only figuratively but literally (how one could know that is a mystery to me).

What other historical figures are associated with 'Amalek, and of those, who was actually known to have been genealogically descended from 'Amalek? Is Haman the last recorded descendant, for example?

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Note that Haman's descent from Amalek is a midrash, not p'shat. (I mention this because you use the word "recorded".) –  msh210 Aug 14 '12 at 5:07
@msh210 TaNa"Ch isn't the only source for our history. –  Seth J Aug 14 '12 at 12:08
Wasn't it Rav Soloveitchik who said that Hitler was Amalek? –  Adam Mosheh Aug 15 '12 at 2:01

2 Answers 2

The fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe spoke at a Simchas Torah (1915) farbrengen regarding Germany and Kaiser Wilhelm. [One of the things said then] was "I know him already for thirty one years. He is Amalek and his end must be obliterated."

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I would have translated that as "will be" not as "must be". +1, though. –  msh210 Aug 14 '12 at 19:43
Hmm, Amalek in the physical, genealogical sense, or in the spiritual, metaphorical sense, I wonder? +1 –  HodofHod Aug 14 '12 at 22:53
@HodofHod not sure. btw, I also heard this idea from others (such as R' Sonnenfeld and possibly the Gra) –  Shmuel Brin Aug 14 '12 at 23:21
@ShmuelBrin, the Gra (1720-1797) said that Kaiser Wilhelm (1859-1941) was 'Amalek? –  Seth J Aug 15 '12 at 13:21
@SethJ Wilhelm (or William) is not an uncommon name for German Rulers; perhaps the Gra referred to a different one? Regarding the Kaiser you (and the Rebbe) mention, his father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and great-great-great-grandfather all had the name Wilhelm. –  HodofHod Aug 16 '12 at 3:42

As far as more recently recorded descendants, don't forget that the Gemara (Gitin 57b) says that Haman's descendants taught Torah in Bnei Brak (or small children, depending on which version you follow).

Although our texts do not reveal who these descendants of Haman and Sisera were, the text available to the early commentators apparently did. The descendant of Sisera was Rebbi Akiva, and the descendant of Haman was Rav Shmuel bar Shelas1, a contemporary of Rav (Ein Yakov to Sanhedrin 96b2; Toldot Tana'im v'Amora'im; Sefer Yuchasin; Menoras ha'Ma'or 5:3:2:3).

From dafyomi.co.il

Ok, so not as recent as one might like, but still...

1: Others reverse the descendants, and say that Rabbi Akiva was descended from Haman instead. No concrete source on this, yet. Just internet musings.
2: Right at the top right.

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They converted before that and ceased to be Amalek. So, I don't think this answers the question. –  jutky Aug 16 '12 at 9:40
True, but that's not what the question asked. I quote: "Is Haman the last recorded descendant, for example?" Therefore, my answer begins with: "As far as more recently recorded descendants..." –  HodofHod Aug 16 '12 at 18:41

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