R. Levi opened his discourse (with Ps. 9:6 [5]): YOU HAVE REBUKED THE NATIONS; YOU HAVE DESTROYED THE WICKED ONE YOU HAVE BLOTTED OUT THEIR NAME FOR EVER AND EVER. YOU HAVE REBUKED THE NATIONS. This refers to Amalek, of which it is written (in Numb. 24:20): FIRST AMONG THE NATIONS (to attack Israel) WAS AMALEK.³⁷., Deut. 6:9; PRK 3:5; cf. PR 12:5. (Ibid., cont.:) YOU HAVE DESTROYED THE WICKED ONE. This refers to Esau, of whom it is stated (in Mal. 1:4): AND THEY SHALL CALL THEM (i.e., Edom) A COUNTRY OF WICKEDNESS. If someone says to you: Jacob also is included in the total number of people with wicked descendants, say to such a one: "You have destroyed wicked ones (in the plural)" is not written here, but YOU HAVE DESTROYED THE WICKED ONE (in the singular). [This refers to Esau the Wicked]. YOU HAVE BLOTTED OUT THEIR NAME FOR EVER AND EVER. (Deut. 25:19): YOU SHALL BLOT OUT THE REMEMBRANCE OF AMALEK….

footnotes: ³⁷ Tanh