Reply To: Three Made-up Words

The true definition of Kiddush Hashem is to be Mekadesh Shem Shamayim – the purist manifestation would be to die Al Kiddush Hashem. Would the Goyim then say, “Look at that Jew, he behaved so nicely by not listening to us and then making us kill him”?

Kiddush Hashem means standing up for God’s name even when others don’t. It has nothing to do with making a politically correct, good impression on Goyim.

I once heard a question (posed in Israel): If a secular Jew pulls over to ask you driving directions on Shabbos, should you not give him directions, because it will cause him to drive because of you; or should you give him directions, to show that religious Jews are not close-minded and thereby make a Kiddush Hashem?

I believe the question is insane. Helping a Jew be Mechallel Shabbos has somehow been packaged in our warped, Americanized minds as being a Kiddush Hashem?!

Obviously, a class behaving on a trip is a Kiddush Hashem. But parents and Rebbeim simply throw around the term to help guilty the kids into behaving.