When I was a child, whenever we were going somewhere as a family, or as a group with school or camp, we were instructed to make sure that our conduct causes a Kiddush Hashem and not a Chilul Hashem. These terms literally mean “glorification” or “desecration” of G-d’s name. If we acted nicely, supposedly this would be a glorification of Hashem, and the opposite type of behavior would be a desecration of Hashem. As children we sometimes wondered aloud to each other whether this was hyperbolic (we probably didn’t use that term); a tactic to get us to behave. We further mused that it might be more appropriate to call it a Kiddush or Chilul of ourselves (family, group etc.).
However, a careful reading of this week’s Parsha with a little dose of layered meaning, reveals that they were likely spot on when they associated how we were perceived, to the glorification of Hashem.
The verse (Deuteronomy, 26:17-18) states, “For your G-d you have glorified today… and your G-d has glorified you.” The sages comment that Hashem is saying that He is glorified through the Jewish people. This sentiment is echoed in Isaiah (49:3) “You are My servant Israel, in whom I am glorified.” So there are two ways to understand this. One is, that when Israel praises G-d, He is glorified by them. The second is, that the very existence and conduct of the people of Israel is a glorification of G-d. This second approach is reflected in the following phenomenon.
Tefillin are referred to in the book of Ezekiel (24:17) as “your glory that is bound upon you.” The Talmud discusses the idea that G-d “wears” Tefillin just as He instructs us to do. Our Tefillin contain the Shema, praising Hashem. Hashem’s Tefillin contain the verse (II Samuel 7:23) “And who is like Your people, like Israel, one nation in the world.” So it turns out that Hashem’s Tefillin, which are supposed to reflect the glory of the wearer, contain the praises of Israel. The Talmud asks, “Is G-d glorified through the glory of the people of Israel?” To which they reply, “Indeed it is so” and they quote the verse of this week’s Parsha, “For your G-d you have glorified today.” This proves that Hashem’s glorification comes not only through praises of Him declared by Israel, but also through the glory of the Jewish people themselves.
So I guess “they” were justified in telling us that our actions can cause a Kiddush or Chilul Hashem. This is indeed a great privilege but also a great responsibility. A Jewish person has the potential to be “the servant of Hashem in whom He is glorified” or G-d forbid the opposite, when our actions can have negative repercussions. Let’s make sure that we justify Hashem’s pride in us!
Speaking of Tefillin, this Sunday at 11 Am is the Mega Tefillin Wrap at Audubon Tea Room. All Jewish men are asked to come together and share the Mitzvah of Tefillin in unity. If you already lay Tefillin every day, then bring your set to help someone else. If you are not a Tefillin regular come lay Tefillin with your brothers on Sunday.
I share with you another testament. Here is Dr. Gerard Chiche’s Tefillin story.
“I was 43 year-old when Rabbi Zelig Rivkin taught me the Mitzvah of Tefillin. I am forever thankful for his teachings and I have never questioned further whether I should wear them every day or not, no matter how busy I am. It really makes you come in contact with your essence as a Jew, and I may have missed wearing them no more than a few days in 20 years. Wearing Tefillin makes my prayers to G-d more powerful and meaningful as I feel I can connect more intensely to the Divine when I Daven. Learning further about Tefillin was a very important part of my journey as a Jew and this adds more significance as one finds that it brings protection for the day, and it is such an important Mitzvah that I feel comfort knowing that the Infinite light of the Divine Ein Sof is in the room with me when I pray. These feelings become part of you and you come to appreciate them more over time if you travel as frequently across the country as I do. Wearing Tefillin at the start of the day in a hotel room in unfamiliar surroundings gets me off to a confident start that G-d will insure that everything will work out fine for the rest of the day.”
Hope to see y’all on Sunday!
Big Mazel Tov to Chabad of Mobile upon the grand opening of Olender Chabad House last night. May they have much success in their sacred work!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin