Rabbi Danny Mirvis

For the Shabbat Table

Rabbi Danny Mirvis

WILL BE IN KINLOSS AND HGS FOR SHABBAT

Deputy CEO, World Mizrachi Rabbi at Ohel Moshe Synagogue, Herzliya Pituach

“And you shall not profane My holy Name and I shall be sanctified (v'nikdashti) amongst the Children of Israel, I am Hashem who makes you holy" (Vayikra 22:32). In this week's Parsha, we come across the prohibition against making a Chillul Hashem (profaning Hashem's Name) and the positive commandment to make a Kiddush Hashem (sanctifying Hashem's Name). The ultimate form of Kiddush Hashem is to give up one's life for their faith, under certain circumstances. However, though the ultimate Kiddush Hashem comes through death, we are also required to make a Kiddush Hashem in our everyday lives.

Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 5:11) comments that there are some things which, "even though they are not transgressions, this is still a Chillul Hashem". Making a Kiddush Hashem is not only about strict performance of the commandments, but behaving in a manner which creates a positive impression of Hashem and His people. The wording of this commandment is very unusual. One would expect the commandment to make a Kiddush Hashem to be worded, "And you shall sanctify Me" or, "And you shall sanctify My holy Name". Why are we commanded in the passive form, "v'nikdashti" – "And I shall be sanctified"?

The passive nature of the commandment highlights its true extent. The potential for Kiddush and Chillul Hashem is not only while we are involved in the performance of Mitzvot. Nor is it limited to the times where we take an active decision to make a Kiddush Hashem. The greatest potential for Kiddush and Chillul Hashem is passive, when we have no idea we are being watched, when we least expect it. We can see from the way we pay attention to the actions of others that it is often when they do not intend to make an impression that the greatest impression is made. The same is true of the way others look at us.

Kiddush and Chillul Hashem are therefore achieved, not only through planned actions but through the way we speak, the way we relate to others, the way we walk around and through the endless list of seemingly minor ways we conduct our everyday lives.

Apart from being prepared to die "al Kiddush Hashem", we must remember to live "al Kiddush Hashem" as well.