5786/2026
As children we are often told to make a Kiddush Hashem, and not to make a Chillul Hashem. What are these terms and concepts? Additionally, how do we live according to these themes? In Parashat Emor the Passuk says, “VeLo Tichalel Et Sheim Kadshi VeNikddashti BeToch Benei Yisra’el” (VaYikra 22:32).
What does it mean to desecrate Hashem’s name? This is colloquially referred to as a Chillul Hashem. The Gemara (Yoma 86a) discusses the various desecrations of Hashem’s name. An example is in a place where the people pay the butcher promptly, not doing so would be a desecration. Not only does the Passuk say not to desecrate or to drag through the mud Hashem’s name, but we must sanctify Hashem’s name as well. After the liberation of the concentration camps, one of the chaplains of the American army, Rav Eliezer Silver, wanted to gather a Minyan to Daven Mincha. One man that he approached said that he refused to daven due to the following reason: During the war, in the camps, there was a man that was able to smuggle a Siddur into the camps, and he would rent out his Siddur to other inmates for that day's ration of food. He said that if that’s how Jews would act towards one another regarding Davening then he wanted nothing to do with it. Rav Silver responded that this man had the wrong mindset regarding this occurrence; don’t dwell on how terrible this Jew; rather, think about how amazing it was that these Holy Jews would give up their day’s ration just to borrow a Siddur! The man promptly agreed to join the minyan. Who is like Am Yisrael that would give anything to be Mekadesh Shem Shamayim.
Rambam (Mishneh Torah Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 5:2) says that there are three cardinal sins that if forced to do, one must give his life instead of violating. Not only does this mean to give up one’s life, rather he should sacrifice for the sake of Hashem, being Moser Nefesh. Doing this is a tremendous Kiddush Hashem. The following is an excerpt (A Tzaddik’s Vision Shuvu - Rav Pam’s Movement of Miracles) of a letter from an eight year old to Rav Pam when he fell ill: “Dear Rav Pam, I was so sad to hear that you’re not feeling well. I know tefillah helps, but my mother doesn’t let me daven in the house. I go into the bathroom, lock the door, and say Tehillim for you”. Coming from a secular family, this young eight year old recognized the power of our tefillot and decided that she would be Moser Nefesh to daven for Rav Pam’s health. The Pasuk doesn’t just say to not make a Chillul Hashem but to make a Kiddush Hashem. Doing mitzvot in earnest is a Kiddush Hashem; wearing Tzitzit and Kippot proudly, while acting in a respectful manner, is a Kiddush Hashem. Ramban (22:32) says that keeping Hashem’s mitzvot is actively being Mekadesh Shem Shamayim. To live the life of an Orthodox Jew comes with many challenges, how we respond to these challenges defines who we are; do we fall and desecrate Hashem’s name, or do we stand strong and be Mekadesh Shem Hashem.
May we all be Zocheh to a life of Kedushah and Honoring Hashem in all that we do.