Kiddush Hashem
Encyclopedia
The sanctification of the Name (in Hebrew kiddush Hashem ( “sanctification of the name [of God
]”) is a precept of Judaism
. It includes sanctification of the name by being holy.
however the instruction frequently is expressed: “To sanctify His Name” , and conversely “Not to profane His Name” . 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).
ic persecution is also called 'sanctification of the Name' in B
.Bereshith 20a and Midrash Tehillim
. 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), 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.
Names of God in Judaism
In Judaism, the name of God is more than a distinguishing title; it represents the Jewish conception of the divine nature, and of the relationship of God to the Jewish people and to the world. To demonstrate the sacredness of the names of God, and as a means of showing respect and reverence for...
]”) is a precept of Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
. It includes sanctification of the name by being holy.
Hebrew Bible
The actual noun phrase "sanctification of the Name" does not occur in the Hebrew BibleHebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible is a term used by biblical scholars outside of Judaism to refer to the Tanakh , a canonical collection of Jewish texts, and the common textual antecedent of the several canonical editions of the Christian Old Testament...
however the instruction frequently is expressed: “To sanctify His Name” , and conversely “Not to profane His Name” . 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
Chillul Hashem
Desecration of the Name meaning desecration of the names of God in Judaism, is a term used in Judaism particularly for any act or behavior that casts shame or brings disrepute to belief in God, any aspect of the Torah's teachings, Jewish law, or the Jewish community.-Hebrew Bible:The source for...
.” (Hebrew khillul hashem).
Holy martyrs, kedoshim
Martyrdom during the HadrianHadrian
Hadrian , was Roman Emperor from 117 to 138. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain. In Rome, he re-built the Pantheon and constructed the Temple of Venus and Roma. In addition to being emperor, Hadrian was a humanist and was philhellene in...
ic persecution is also called 'sanctification of the Name' in B
Bavli
Bavli is a neighborhood in central Tel Aviv, Israel, named after the Babylonian Talmud, and bounded by Hayarkon Park on the north, Ayalon highway to the east, Namir road to the west and Park Tzameret to the south. It was founded in 1957 and developed rapidly over the 1970s and 1980s...
.Bereshith 20a and Midrash Tehillim
Midrash Tehillim
Midrash Tehillim or Midrash to Psalms is a haggadic midrash known since the 11th century, when it was quoted by Nathan of Rome in his Aruk , by R. Isaac ben Judah ibn Ghayyat in his Halakot , and by Rashi in his commentary on I Sam. xvii. 49, and on many other passages. This midrash is called also...
. 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
Avodah Zarah
Avodah Zarah is the name of a tractate in the Talmud, located in Nezikin, the fourth Order of the Talmud dealing with damages...
, that is foreign worship), committing certain sexual acts (such as incest or adultery), or committing murder.
The Jews who were victims of the Spanish Inquisition
Spanish Inquisition
The Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition , commonly known as the Spanish Inquisition , was a tribunal established in 1480 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile. It was intended to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms, and to replace the Medieval...
who were either executed or exiled from Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
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
Mitzvah
The primary meaning of the Hebrew word refers to precepts and commandments as commanded by God...
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
The Holocaust
The Holocaust , also known as the Shoah , was the genocide of approximately six million European Jews and millions of others during World War II, a programme of systematic state-sponsored murder by Nazi...
, only because they were Jews, are considered Kedoshim.