Kiddush ha-Shem

Value: Kiddush ha-Shem

Kiddush

You probably know the Kiddush as the blessing we say over wine. The actual Hebrew word kiddush means “holy”. Kiddush is when we use a glass of wine (or grape juice) to recognize the holiness of Shabbat (or other holidays). The wine is something concrete that helps us appreciate Shabbat, which is something we can’t touch or sense. Kiddush really means “set apart,” just as the Shabbat is set apart from the weekdays.

Ha-Shem

Ha-Shem means “the Name” and refers to God’s name. Judaism makes a big deal out of God’s name.

God’s actual name is made up of four letters, hey, vav, hey, yud. No one knows how to pronounce it. We use the word Adonai (Our Master) instead, leaving “the Name” unpronounced. Some Jews say ha-Shem instead of Adonai when they are talking and not praying.

Two Kinds of Kiddush ha -Shem

Kiddush ha-Shem means “Making the Name Holy.” It has two different meanings. It is kiddush ha-Shem when someone gives up his or her life in a way that gives honor to the Jewish people and God. One who sacrifices his or her life for others or for a cause is called a martyr. Judaism is not big or martyrdom but believes that there are times when it is necessary. The other meaning of kiddush ha

Shem is not dying, but living in a way that gives honor to God and the Jewish people. Both ways give dignity to the

Jewish people and reflect well on God, showing that God makes a difference.

Kiddush ha-Shem Text: The Death of Rabbi Akiva

The Shema (V’Ahavta) commands us to love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our might. Rabbi Akiva teaches: “‘With all thy soul’ means ‘loving God even if God takes our soul away.’”

Our Rabbis taught: Once the wicked government of Rome issued a law forbidding the Jewish people to study and practice the Torah. Rabbi Akiva continued publicly bringing people together and teaching the Torah… Rabbi Akiva was arrested and thrown into prison…When Rabbi Akiva was taken out for execution it was the time for saying the Shema. They ripped his flesh with iron combs… He said to his students: “All my days I have been troubled by this verse, ‘with all your soul’, that I interpret as ‘loving God even if God takes our soul away.’ I never thought I would have a chance to experience it. Now I do.” He said the Shema and held on to the word  ehad (one) until he died. A heavenly voice said “Happy are you, Akiva, because you soul has departed with the word ehad!”

1. This is a hard story. What lesson does it teach? 2. H ow did Akiva give honor to the Jewish people? 3. H ow did Akiva show that God makes a difference? 4. H ow is this a story of kiddush ha-Shem?

Brakhot 61b