rafu y'deihem min haTorah

A few weeks ago I pointed out the Wired article about researchers who proved that intellectuals use specific hand motions when the talk.  We all know this is true -- watch how a lamdan swings his thumb when he says a sevara while learning. 

Now I understand what Rashi means when he explains Refidim, the place Amalek is said to have attacked us, is called by that name because it hints that "rafu *y'deihem* min haTorah" -- the hands of Klal Yisrael were not strong in learning.  Without the hand motions, it's not the same learning.