Mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem

Question

Is

שיהיה שם שמים מתאהב על ידך

one of the 613 mitzvos ?

Is one required to be מתבונן and look for ways to come across to fellow Jews (and non-Jews) as a reasonable and pleasant person, while being fully observing Torah and mitzvos, or is this just מידת חסידות ?

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    Yes, the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem is listed as one of the Taryag mitzvos.

    The Sefer Hachinuch to Parshas Emor (mitzvah 296) writes: To sanctify His name, may He be blessed, as it is written (Vayikra 22:32): “And I will be sanctified in the midst of the Children of Israel.”

    The intent of this mitzvah is that we are commanded to publicize the true faith in G‑d throughout the world without fear of injury from any assailant. Although an intimidator approaches us, desiring to induce us to abandon our faith, we should not listen to him, but instead sacrifice our lives.

    Nor should we deceive him into thinking that we have denied G‑d, although in truth, in our hearts, we believe in Him. Instead, we should choose self-sacrifice.

    This is the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem, which the Jews are commanded to observe.

    (Rambam, Sefer HaMitzvos, positive commandment 9)

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team