# Kiddush Hashem

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{{Short description|Sanctification of the Name, precept of Judaism}}
{{See also|Martyrdom in Judaism|Self-sacrifice in Jewish law}}
{{Italic title}}
'''''Kiddush HaShem''''' ({{langx|he|קידוש השם}} "sanctification of [the Name](/source/HaShem)") is a precept of [Judaism](/source/Judaism). In rabbinic sources and modern parlance, it refers to private and communal conduct that reflects well, instead of poorly, on the Jewish people.

==Origins==
The phrase "sanctification of the Name" does not occur in the [Hebrew Bible](/source/Hebrew_Bible),<ref>Esther Marie Menn ''Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) in ancient Jewish exegesis'' 1997 p. 262  "The Hebrew Bible itself, however, does not employ the phrase "sanctification of the Name" to describe this type of positive connection.... "Sanctification of the Name" in the teachings of the tannaim  44 (1979) 28–42.</ref> but the instruction "to sanctify [God]" and the converse command "you shall not profane My holy name"<ref>{{bibleverse||Leviticus|22:32|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Leviticus|18:21|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Leviticus|21:6|HE}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Leviticus|22:2|HE}}</ref> is frequently expressed. Any action by a Jew that brings honor, respect, and glory to God is considered sanctification of His name. In contrast, any behavior or action that disgraces, harms or shames God's name and His [Torah](/source/Torah) is regarded as a ''[chillul Hashem](/source/chillul_Hashem)'' "desecration of the Name". The term appears throughout early [Rabbinic literature](/source/Rabbinic_literature), including the [Sifre](/source/Sifre) Devarim, the [Jerusalem Talmud](/source/Jerusalem_Talmud), and the [Babylonian Talmud](/source/Babylonian_Talmud), and its principle – acting in such a manner as to avoid the criticism of gentiles – is cited for [halakhic](/source/halakha) rulings.

[Martyr](/source/Martyr)dom during the [Hadrianic persecution](/source/Hadrianic_persecution) is called sanctification of the Name in [Berachot](/source/Berakhot_(Talmud)) 20a and [Midrash Tehillim](/source/Midrash_Tehillim).<ref>[Craig A. Evans](/source/Craig_A._Evans), James A. Sanders The function of scripture in early Jewish and Christian tradition 1998– Page 218 "R. 2.7, in which the words 'Give your soul for the sanctification of the Name'. Martyrdom during the Hadrianic persecution is also called 'sanctification of the Name' in b. Ber. 20a and Midr. Teh.</ref> The ultimate act of sanctification of the Name is a Jew who is prepared to sacrifice his life rather than commit [idolatry](/source/idolatry_in_Judaism),<ref>{{cite web |title=Jewish Virtual Library |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Talmud/avodahzara_toc.html}}</ref> [forbidden sexual acts](/source/forbidden_relationships_in_Judaism) (such as incest or adultery), or murder. The commandment of kiddush Hashem was introduced by the [Tannaim](/source/Tannaim).<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Safrai|first=Samuel|date=1979|title=קידוש השם בתורתם של התנאים [The sanctification of God in the teachings of the Tannaim].|journal=ציון [Zion]|volume=44, pp. 28–42.|language=Hebrew}}</ref>

==See also==
* [Chillul hashem](/source/Chillul_hashem)
* [Self-sacrifice in Jewish law](/source/Self-sacrifice_in_Jewish_law)
* [Fi sabilillah](/source/Fi_sabilillah) – a similar term in [Islam](/source/Islam)
* [Brahmacharya](/source/Brahmacharya) – a term for religious self conduct in [Hinduism](/source/Hinduism), [Jainism](/source/Jainism) and [Buddhism](/source/Buddhism)

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=Safrai, Samuel (1979) קידוש השם בתורתם של התנאים [Sanctification of the Name in the Teachings of the Exegetes] in ציון [Zion], vol. 44, pp. 28–42. [Hebrew].}}

==External links==
* {{cite encyclopedia |article=Atonement |title=jewishencyclopedia.com |url=https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=2092&letter=A#6426 |author=Kaufmann Kohler |author-link=Kaufmann Kohler}}

{{Halakha}}
{{Authority control}}

Category:Hebrew words and phrases in the Hebrew Bible
Category:Jewish ethical law
Category:Jewish martyrs
Category:Positive Mitzvoth
Category:Hebrew words and phrases in Jewish law

{{jewish-ethics-stub}}

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kiddush Hashem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiddush_Hashem) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiddush_Hashem?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.