Kiddush Hashem
From Halachipedia
The Three Cardinal Sins
Other Mitzvot
Whereas violation of the three cardinal sins constitutes a Chillul Hashem and one must therefore give up his life to avoid it, violation of other Mitzvot does not, unless it means certain criteria, in which, the gravity of the sin is so great that it also warrants giving up one's life.[1]
- Based on the narrative of Yehudah and Tamar, Chazal advise one to rather jump into a fiery furnace than humiliate his fellow in public. Some Rishonim take this literally as an additional Mitzvah to sacrifice one's life instead of violating,[2] while others argue Chazal were exaggerating to make a point and did not mean we should take the Halacha literally.[3] Others accept the Gemara as Halacha but qualify it to any embarrassment equivalent to the eteral humiliation of Yehudah from Tamar. Only in such instances must one die rather than embarrass his fellow in public, and, since we are incapable of measuring such embarrassment, we cannot consider such an avenue.[4]
Shmad/Persecution
- Even if the ones trying to uproot Jewish practices are the Jews themselves, such as the Reform, the situation would be considered one of Shmad.[5]
In Presence of a Minyan
For the Non-Jew's Benefit
Mitzvot Aseh
Beracha
- According to the Shelah, when sacrificing oneself for Kiddush Hashem, one recites the Beracha "Lekadesh Shemo BaRabbim" - "ברוך אתה יקוק אלוקינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו לקדש שמו ברבים"[6]
Chillul Hashem
Non Jews
- Although Bnei Noach are not obligated in Kiddush Hashem, they are permitted to give up their lives at will in such situations.[7]
Further Reading
- Yabia Omer vol. 6 Yoreh Deah Siman 13 - "בדין קידושי ה'"
Sources
- ↑ Beit Yosef Yoreh Deah 157:1
- ↑ Berachot 43b, Tosafot Sotah 10b s.v. Noach Lo who writes that though the list is always of three cardinal sins it only records but is not limited to those sins explicated in the Torah. The Brisker Rav (ad loc) postulates that it could be a Middat Chassidut if not for Tosafot's difficulty seemingly indicating it's a Din. Rabbeinu Yonah (Shaarei Teshuvah 3:139) considers is a subcategory ("Avak") of murder. See Shu"t Minchat Shlomo vol. 1 Siman 7 at length.
- ↑ Meiri Berachot 43b, Rav Hershel Schachter (Berachot 5778 #85). See also Yabia Omer vol. 6 Yoreh Deah 13:12 and Shu"t Bnei Banim 1:41
- ↑ He'arot HaGris Elyashiv Berachot 43b. See also Hearot to Ketubot 67b and to Bava Metzia 59a
- ↑ Shu"t Avnei Nezer Choshen Mishpat 103 writes how abolishing the Minhag of calling up Olim by their names to get an Aliyah would be an application of this din.
- ↑ Shu"t Mimaamakim vol. 2 Siman 4. See also Mi Yodea
- ↑ Yabia Omer vol. 6 Yoreh Deah 13:12
