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The Short Vort- -“Kiddush Hashem” (6/18/10)
color:navy">The Short Vort
color:navy">Good Shabbos!
color:navy">Today is (Erev) Shabbos the 7th of Tammuz 5770 and June 18-19, 2010
color:navy">Kiddush Hashem
color:navy">Moshe would never make it to the Promised Land.
color:navy">Why not?
color:navy">The passuk tell us:
“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Since you did not have faith in Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly to the Land which I have given them.”
(Bamidbar 20:12)
color:navy">The bottom line is that Moshe and Aharon failed to “sanctify the name of Hashem in the eyes of the children of Israel”.
To be able to “sanctify the name of Hashem” is one of the prime reasons we have been chosen as an Am Segulah- a precious people in the eyes of Hashem.
color:navy">At all times we must be aware of who we are and what we are.
color:navy">We must be cognizant of the impact of our actions at all times.
color:navy">The eyes of all non- religious Jews and indeed the world at large, are constantly and correctly so, analyzing and scrutinizing our actions to see if they are up to snuff.
color:navy">When we fail to sanctify His name; a wrong has been committed.
That is why last year when there were numerous demonstrations in Yerushalayim which in my opinion (and in the opinion of others who are more knowledgeable than me) were not sanctification on the name of Hashem, I spoke out against them.
That is why last year when there were numerous demonstrations in Yerushalayim which in my opinion (and in the opinion of others who are more knowledgeable than me) were not sanctification on the name of Hashem, I spoke out against them.
However, at the same time, when there is a sanctification of the name of Hashem, we must speak out and point out to others how important that is.
This past Thursday, in the holy city of Yerushalayim, a great sanctification of the name of Hashem occurred.
This past Thursday, over 150,000 Jews gathered to escort a group of Jews- Ashkenazim and Sephardim- men and women -who were sentenced to a two week prison term for not sending their children to a school which in their opinion was below the necessary religious standards.
It is beyond the purview of this Vort and not germane to my point if I agree with their position or not. I happen to support their cause whole heartedly, however, as I mentioned, that is beside the point.
What is germane and what is critical is the Kiddush Hashem which the gathering generated.
In all media venues and in all accounts the gathering garnished lavish praise.
All were impressed with the decorum and the dignity displayed by both the organizers of the event and the participants.
Gedolei Yisroel graced the event and all the participants stood respectfully and properly despite the intense Middle Eastern heat.
It was a proud day for all Torah Jews.
There was not the slightest hint of violence and nothing which resembled destruction of public property or even of civil disobedience.
Everyone was respectful and all acted in way befitting a Torah individual.
In short, a true Kiddush Hashem!
May Hashem continue to shower His brocha upon us.