Did you ever wonder what you responsibility is as a Jew?
Our Sages answer that question based on a verse from this week’s Torah portion. The ArtScroll commentary on Parshat Emor says “it is the primary privilege and responsibility of every Jew, great or small, to sanctify Gd’s name through his behavior, whether among Jews or gentiles - by studying Torah, and performing the commandments, and by treating others kindly, considerately and honestly, so that people say of him, ‘fortunate are the parents and teachers who raised such a person’”.
The verse that is the source is teaching the commandment that one is to give up one’s life to sanctify Gd’s name. But we are also taught that one can sanctify Gd’s name by living in a proper way, while traversing the daily walkways of life.
There is a story I share annually in conjunction with this week’s Parsha because it is so inspiring.
It’s a true story and I am privileged to know the protagonists.
They are the Muroff family and they lived in Atlanta for a few years.
Once they purchased a used desk through Craig’s List. In order to get the large desk through the door of their home, Rabbi Muroff had to dismantle it. Upon doing so he was shocked to discover an envelope containing $98,000 in cash. The woman who sold him the desk had no idea it was there, and no one would have been the wiser if he pocketed the money. But the Muroffs decided to return the money. Bringing their children along for the ride, the Muroffs returned the money to a very grateful and shocked woman. The money had been an inheritance from her father and she had stashed it in the desk, but somehow it had gotten wedged in between the drawers and she had no idea of its whereabouts.
This was what the women wrote to the rabbi after he returned the money:
“ I do not think there are too many people in this world that would have done what you did by calling me. I do like to believe that there are still good people left in this crazy world we live in. You certainly are one of them," the woman wrote. "I cannot thank you enough for your honesty and integrity."
That’s called making a Kiddush Hashem, sanctifying Gd’s name.

Day 223
Lessons from the war:
Daniel Hemo is one of the five IDF soldiers who was killed in a tragic friendly fire incident in Gaza this week.
Daniel is an example of the extraordinary nature of our soldiers and youth in Israel.
He had signed up with the bone marrow registry in Israel which is called Ezer Mizion.
He matched with a woman in her 60s just before October 7. He has been scheduled to be discharged from the army on October 7 to begin the donation process. However, due to the outbreak of war the process was postponed.
The process was delayed, but the illness was progressing, so Daniel received a special dispensation to take a temporary leave to donate his marrow to save a life.
He immediately returned to his unit to fight another foe, and was tragically killed in the friendly fire incident this week.
Another hero has been taken from us.
Daniel made a Kiddush Hashem in his short time on earth.
We lost this giant at the age of 20.
A Kiddush Hashem means that he sanctified the name of Gd with his actions.
Daniel was focused on saving lives. And did so with his very being.
Another one of the fallen in this heartbreaking friendly fire situation was Roy Beit Yaakov, 22 years old. His father, a soldier who is also serving in Gaza, went on national television after the horrific accident.
He said, all these soldiers (those involved in the deadly accident)are righteous people, tzadikim.
He stated that when we are in the midst of war, terrible accidents can occur. He went on to invite the soldiers to his home, he wants to hug and comfort them.
He says of course he is in pain over losing his precious child, but this time is also a time which is highlighting the strength and courage of the Jewish people which calls “awesome”.
Instead of lashing out in pain and criticism, Roy’s father created a space for love and healing.
He gave emotional life to those who are devastated by the unintended result of their actions.
He created a Kiddush Hashem.
In his behavior he sanctified Gd’s Name, by acting as a Jew should act, shoeing love and empathy instead of spewing hatred and contempt.
This week’s Torah portion is entitled Emor and it teaches us that we are Gd’s ambassadors in the world.
“I must be sanctified” says Gd.
How do we mere mortals sanctify Gd’s name?