Kiddish Hashem in California

A very well­-known mitzvah that is kept during trying times is called Kiddish Ha-Shem, meaning the act to Sanctify G‑d's name.

Our great teacher, Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, known as RamBam or Maimonides, states in his great monumental work Sefer Ha-Mitzvoth the following, "We are commanded to sanctify G‑d's name. It is contained in His words, 'but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel.' The purport of this Commandment is that we are duty bound to proclaim this true religion to the world, undeterred by fear of injury from any source. Even if a tyrant tries to compel us by force to deny Him, we must not obey, but must positively rather submit to death. And we must not even mislead the tyrant into supposing that we have denied Him while in our hearts we continue to believe in Him."

The RamBam goes on to enumerate the cases of our very great leaders and rabbis. How they would not, under any circumstances, submit to pressure that would be contrary to the spirit of the law - the duty to declare His unity and greatness - this being done with the utmost self-sacrifice.

This great Mitzvah may also be known as the 9th positive commandment found in the Sefer Ha-Mitzvoth of Maimonides and is usually adhered to in the times of distress and war.

Yet, there is another side to this Mitzvah found in the monumental work of Jewish Law Mishnah Torah, "The scholar who is scrupulous in his own conduct&Speaking gently to his fellow men&Showing concern to others&"so that all may be disposed to praise him and love him, and be desirous of emulating his deeds - such a one sanctifies the L-rd, and concerning him the Scripture says, "and He said unto me thou art My servant, Israel in whom I will be glorified." Kiddish Ha-Shem of another kind, but considered worthy to be equated as an equal.

We can see from here that there are two types of Kiddish Ha-Shem described by the RamBam, one in which we must give up our very lives and another one in which we extend life, both very noble and yet seemingly opposites!

In the sunny state of California one can see a new kind of Kiddish Ha-Shem in action. The Kiddish Ha-Shem of Orthodox Rabbinical leaders, and Orthodox pulpit rabbis.

For the past six years the Jewish demographics of Los Angeles and surrounding areas have begun to change. More of our Jewish population areas are returning to the ways of the old, but true form of Yiddishkeit Orthodoxy. Just should think for a moment of the many new Shuls that have opened all over the city and out-lying areas. There are even rabbis who are leaving their Shuls to create new and authentic Orthodox places of prayer, leaving comfortable positions in order to upgrade to true Orthodox Torah standards. This fact has been highlighted by the recent events that took place right before the Holy Days in our city of Los Angeles.

Rabbi Phillip Schroit, spiritual leader of the prestigious Congregation Young Judea - Bnai David made a quantum leap forward when he decided to install a new Mechitzah and to rid the Shul of it's Shabbos microphone, this after being Rabbi there for over 40 years! Most Rabbis I know would be thinking of retirement and not change. But not this Rabbi. He had the new beautiful Mechitzah installed with heavy cement! As Rabbi Schroit told me personally, "This is for real."

A few years ago Rabbi Rubin Huttler of the wonderful Etz Jacob convinced his congregation to install a much needed Mechitzah. This, too, was the turning point for his shul. The tide is turning to Orthodoxy. These past holidays more and more families joined Orthodox Shuls. From Northridge to Orange county, from Westlake to Palos Verdes, memberships in Orthodox congregations has been on the rise.

What does this phenomenon tell us? I feel I am qualified to speak for our Rabbis. As President of the R.C.C. for the past few years, I can tell you unequivocally that I have made the following observation: What we are seeing is a return to our noble heritage. The need and demand for no-compromise Judaism is now being felt more than ever. The return to the unchangeable Holy Torah is what is being sought.

Thank G‑d that the Orthodox Rabbis in California, the Rabbis of the Orthodox Rabbinical Council, Chabad and others are exercising their leadership positions and are leading the way for the return.

Now, more than ever, I ask the many congregants to stand behind their Rabbis in helping to bring back the sanctity of the Synagogue by making the Synagogue look like it did in the traditional settings, thus making the greatest Kiddish Ha-Shem possible. The true and best way of sanctifying G‑d's name.