Before the description of the Israelites’ war with Amalek, it is stated that they asked: “Is the Lord in our midst, or not?” (Exodus 17:7). The Sages liken their conduct to that of a child whose father sees to all his needs, yet still asks: Have you seen my father?

To what were the Israelites comparable? They were comparable to one who was riding on his father’s shoulders. He saw an item that he desired, and he said to his father: Acquire it for me. The father acquired it for him. And this occurred a second and third time. As they were walking, the child saw someone. He asked him: Have you seen my father? The father said to his child: You are riding on my shoulders, and everything that you request I do for you, and you say to him: Have you seen my father? The father cast his child from upon his shoulders and a dog came and bit him. So it was with the Israelites. When they departed from Egypt, the clouds of glory immediately surrounded them; they requested manna, and the Holy One, blessed be He, rained down manna for them; they requested pheasant, He provided them…. He provided them with all their needs. They began contemplating: “Is the Lord in our midst, or not?” (17:7). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them: I take an oath by your lives! I am informing you, the dog is coming and it will bite you [and then you will realize that I have been caring for you]. Who is that dog? It is Amalek. (Tanĥuma [Buber], Yitro)