KIDDUSH HASHEIM, the
Sanctification of the Divine Name, is often translated as martyrdom. If someone in ancient times chose
to die rather than violate a commandment of Judaism, the Jewish community saw
that act as one of holiness.
When Jews continued to be the victims of hatred that led to violence,
they also spoke of YISURIN SHEL AHAVAH, "chastisements of love."
Speaking of love and holiness at such times of persecution was probably the
only way that Jews could redeem the difficulties and challenges of their lives,
of being Jews in a world that begrudged their very existence.
Yom Hashoah, Holocaust
Remembrance Day, is actually called Yom Hashoah U-g'vurah, a day for
remembering the victims of the Holocaust and Heroism at that time. Heroism was
embodied during World War II in the many places where Jewish uprisings
challenged the Nazis and their collaborators to realize that their control over
Europe, physically and ideologically, was not absolute. Ghetto and partisan fighters, and acts
of individuals from many religious and ethnic groups that saved Jews and others
from deportation and even death, demonstrated how faith and determination could
lead to acts of strength, kindness and even holiness.
Holiness is the
theme of this week's Torah reading, KEDOSHIM. We may not think of ourselves as heroes when we bring
food for the Casa de Peregrinos food pantry or El Caldito Soup Kitchen, or when
we work to help people leave poverty behind, or when we treat each other with a
sense of justice and fairness.
We may not consider ourselves strong when we overcome the impulse to
take vengeance or bear a grudge against another human being but, instead, seek
a way to relate positively that can lead to reconciliation. We may not define being
considerate of our fellow community members, and any person, as an act that is
holy. The Torah, however,
says, YES - when we are generous, giving, considerate, open-minded, fair, and
just - we ARE heroic. We ARE
strong. We ARE enhancing holiness
in the world.
And even more - we ARE
redeeming the courageous acts of our ancestors when they said NO to someone who
sought to force them to say YES in a way that would have left their Jewish
heritage in the dust.
Loving our neighbors and the stranger as ourselves - this is the love
that is the central essence of leading a holy life. It may be difficult, at times, to find a way to
express and extend that love, but when we do so, we restore the balance upset
by humanity's unfortunate acts and examples of hatred.
So may we continue to be
kind, loving, giving, just, and hopeful, even when hard-hearted hatred and prejudice
may tempt us to do otherwise.
Then we will be heroes living holy lives that will assure that God and
godliness will dwell among us.
No comments:
Post a Comment