This week's parshah concludes with the mitzvah of Mechiyas Amalek (Destroying Amalek). The Torah presents this mitzvah subsequent to the mitzvah of Midos U'Mishkalos (using accurate measures and weights).

Medrash Tanchuma (quoted in Rashi on Devarim 25:17) notes the proximity of the mitzvos of Mechiyas Amalek and Midos U'Mishkalos, explaining that one who deceives others by using flawed scales and measuring instruments is destined for divine punishment at the hands of the enemy. What is the deeper relationship between sinning in the realm of Midos U'Mishkalos and retribution at the hands of Amalek, of which the Medrash speaks?

Deceiving customers by utilizing flawed measurement tools is unlike other forms of cheating and stealing. In cases of "regular" monetary dishonesty, the businessman or thief obtains unlawful gain either entirely without the knowledge of the victim (such as Geneivah/stealing in secrecy) or entirely with his knowledge (such as Gezeilah/robbery, Koveish S'char Sachir/not paying a worker when required, or Kofer B'Pikadon/denial of a bailment). Violation of the law of Midos U'Mishkalos, however, involves crookedness at its worst, for the seller uses a scale or measuring device to demonstrate to his purchaser that the merchandise is verified to be the amount agreed upon, while at the same time the system is rigged to falsify the amount for the seller's benefit. The seller's hypocrisy is unparalleled; he wishes to appear as honest and does not dare rob the customer outright, yet he takes advantage of the trust he attains to stab the purchaser in his (financial) back.

This is precisely where Amalek fits into the picture, for Amalek manifests such hypocrisy in an even more extreme way. Whereas Amalek is scared of man, it has no fear of Hashem and openly and brazenly defies His word, just like one with rigged scales would not dare steal from his customer outright, yet does so secretly, audaciously defying the prohibitions of theft and dishonesty. When B'nei Yisroel were traveling, Amalek came from behind and attacked the weaker Jews who trailed in the back. (Devarim 25:18, with Rashi from Tanchuma) Amalek would not take on B'nei Yisroel directly; rather, it attacked surreptitiously, taking advantage of the most vulnerable members of B'nei Yisroel - and openly blashpeming Hashem upon the occasion. (V. Rashi ibid.)

The relationship between Midos U'Mishkalos and Amalek emphasizes in a unique way that we must be ever aware of the "Eye Above" that is watching us, so as not to disregard Hashem's surveillance of our actions and concern ourselves only with what other people may think and know. The relationship between the mitzvos of Midos U'Mishkalos and Mechiyas Amalek serves as an affirmation that any dishonesty vis a vis others ultimately reflects a lack of belief in Hashem Himself, for one who cheats believes that he can get away with his misdeeds so long as his victim is unaware and there are no witnesses to the act. This constitutes a denial Hashem's omniscience and indicates a fundamental lack of emunah.