Sanctifying Hashem's Name/2

Sanctification of Hashem's Name

Exegetical Approaches

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Result of Observance

Vayikra 22:31 declares that observance of Hashem's commandments will lead to a sanctification of Hashem's name, but does not obligate anyone to act so as to achieve this goal.

Sources:Ibn EzraVayikra 22:31-33About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, AbarbanelVayikra 22About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel, SefornoVayikra 22:32About R. Ovadyah Seforno

Passive form of "וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי" – The passive form of the word "וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי" supports this position, suggesting that the sanctification is a result rather than a command.

To whom are these words directed?

• Priests
• Nation

Positive Behavior

The phrase "וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" obligates people to behave in a manner which will sanctify God's name.

Sources:Bavli YomaYoma 86aAbout the Bavli, Bavli MegillahMegillah 23bAbout the Bavli, Bavli SotahSotah 10bAbout the Bavli, R. Saadia GaonR. Saadia GaonAbout R. Saadia Gaon,

Martyrdom

"וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" is the positive commandment to die rather than transgress commandments in public.

Sources:Sifra Vayikra22:32-33About the Sifra Vayikra, Yerushalmi SanhedrinSanhedrin 3:5About the Yerushalmi, Bavli SanhedrinSanhedrin 74a-bAbout the Bavli, Bavli Avodah ZarahAvodah Zarah 27bAvodah Zarah 54aAbout the Bavli, RashiVayikra 22:32About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, RambamSefer HaMitzvot Positive Commandment 9Sefer HaMitzvot Negative Commandment 63About R. Moshe b. Maimon, RambanMilchamot Hashem Sanhedrin 18aShemot 20:5About R. Moshe b. Nachman, RalbagVayikra 22:31-32Vayikra 22 Toelet 16About R. Levi b. Gershom,