Mitzvah #12 - Kiddush Hashem - Sanctify Gcd's name

One must be prepared to be killed - or lose all ones money - in order to publicize ones belief in Hashem and the Jewish laws.



One must be prepared to be killed rather than agree to convert to another religion. Even pretending to agree to convert - in order to save ones life - is forbidden.


One must be prepared to be killed rather than transgress any of the sins in the Torah publicly; i.e. in the presence of 10 Jews.


In private (without 10 Jews present) one must be be prepared to be killed rather than transgress one of the 3 cardinal sins: Idol worship, Adultery and Murder. This applies even if the request comes from somebody with altruistic - and not religious - reasons.


At a time of Shmad - when by law one may not be Jewish - one must be prepared to be killed rather than transgress any sin - even in private.


One who is killed in the presence of 10 Jews rather than transgressing (as above) has done a public Kiddush Hashem and has attained the highest level of worshipping Hashem that one can reach.


Applies to everybody, all the time, everywhere.


Pasuk: I shall be sanctified amongst the Bnei Yisrael (Yavikra 22:32)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 5

- Danny

Wednesday, 3 Marcheshvan 5770