Kiddush Hashem
The sanctification of the Name (in Hebrew kiddush Hashem (Hebrew: קידוש השם “sanctification of the name [of God]”) is a precept of Judaism. It includes sanctification of the name by being holy.[1]
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[edit] Hebrew Bible
The actual noun phrase "sanctification of the Name" does not occur in the Hebrew Bible[2] however the instruction frequently is expressed: “To sanctify His Name” Leviticus 22:32, and conversely “Not to profane His Name” Lev. 22:32. Thus any action by a Jew that brings honor, respect, and glory to God is considered to be sanctification of His name, whereas any behavior or action that disgraces, harms or shames God's name and his Torah is regarded as a “desecration of his Name.” (Hebrew khillul hashem).
[edit] Holy martyrs, kedoshim
Martyrdom during the Hadrianic persecution is also called 'sanctification of the Name' in B.Bereshith 20a and Midrash Tehillim.[3] The ultimate act of sanctification of the Name is when a Jew is prepared to sacrifice his life rather than transgress any of God’s three cardinal laws, banning serving idols (Avodah Zarah, that is foreign worship[4]), committing certain sexual acts (such as incest or adultery), or committing murder.
The Jews who were victims of the Spanish Inquisition who were either executed or exiled from Spain and Portugal because they did not renounce their religion and belief in God as taught by Judaism are called holy ones because they are regarded as having fulfilled the commandment of not turning to idolatry and thereby sanctifying God's name.
Another way to be categorized kedoshim, is if someone is killed for the simple reason of being Jewish, even if not given the opportunity to convert, or otherwise disassociate with the Jewish faith. Thus, the six million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust, only because they were Jews, are considered Kedoshim.[citation needed]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Marvin Bash Messages of the Chofetz Chaim: 100 Stories and Parables 2006 Page 91 "Section VII Sanctification of the Name: An Introduction It is written in the Torah, as one of the commandments, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (Lev. 19:2). According to this Biblical verse, the Jew is obligated to be holy, ..."
- ^ Esther Marie Menn Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) in ancient Jewish exegesis 1997 Page 262 "The Hebrew Bible itself, however, does not employ the phrase "sanctification of the Name" to describe this type of positive connection ... "Sanctification of the Name" in the teachings of the tannaim 44 (1979) 28-42.
- ^ Craig A. Evans, James A. Sanders The function of scripture in early Jewish and Christian tradition 1998- Page 218 "R. 2.7, in which the words 'Give your soul for the sanctification of the Name' ... Martyrdom during the Hadrianic persecution is also called 'sanctification of the Name' in b. Ber. 20a and Midr. Teh.
- ^ "Jewish Virtual Library". http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Talmud/avodahzara_toc.html.
[edit] External links
- Kaufmann Kohler. "Atonement". Jewish Encyclopedia. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=2092&letter=A#6426.
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