Rabbi Daniel Siegel – Head of Jewish Life

A Jew by any other name…

Toward the end of the film “The Last Sammurai”, the remaining devotee is asked by the child emperor to relate how the last samurai died. The devotee responds, “I will tell you how he lived”.

Judaism speaks to how we should live in two words: Kiddush HaShem-Sanctification of the Name.

Kiddush HaShem is a Rabbinic concept based upon this week’s parashah: “You shall not profane (תחללו/techalelu) My holy name (שם קדשי/shem kadshi), rather I am to be sanctified (נקדשתי/nikdashti) among the children of Israel”.

In extremis, Jewish martyrs (on the basis of this verse) sanctify the Name through death when compelled to profane It through life. This further accentuates the understanding that sanctification of the Name is the principal purpose of living.

In Jewish tradition, Kiddush HaShem is synonymous with Kiddush HaChayyim-Sanctification of Life. When Moshe, in his anger, denounces the people as rebels and hits the rock to obtain water, he and his brother are told that they have failed to sanctify God’s name in the sight of Israel. When Avraham, arguing with God in an effort to save Sedom from destruction, says “It is profane for You (חלילה לך/chalila lekha) to do such a thing”, the Rabbis note that he is accusing God Himself of Chillul HaShem, Profanation of the Name.

Sanctifying the Name through sanctified living is not only an expectation of national and religious leaders. Kiddush HaShem is to be “among the children of Israel”. Judaism teaches that living a principled life of integrity, wherein one honours the sanctity of all life, is an experience and expression of the Divine.

The Kaddish, among other prayers such as the Kedushah, requires a quorum of 10 people, as the Rabbis, based on the words “among the children of Israel”, maintain that sanctification is most fully realised in community.

It is asked why the Kaddish is centred upon God and not the deceased, for whom it is said. In saying ״May God’s great name be sanctified throughout the world (״(יתקדש שמיה רבה.. בעלמא, we are honouring the one for whom we are saying kaddish. We are testifying that s/he lived a life of kedushah whereby s/he sanctified the Name which we are to remember is incumbent upon us all.

קדש את שמך על מקדישי שמך וקדש את שמך בעולמך…ברוך אתה ה׳ המקדש את שמו ברבים
Sanctify Your name through those who engage in sanctifying the same, thereby sanctifying Your name in Your world…Praised are You Lord who Sanctifies His name among the peoples of the world
~Daily Morning Prayer~

Tali Oziel

2019 Emanuel alumna shares her story of making Aliyah

Michael Manhaim, the Executive Director of HaTzofim Australia, sent me the following e-mail

 Dear Rabbi Siegel,

 I wanted to share a beautiful video of Emanuel Alumni from class 2019, Tali Oziel.

 Tali made Aliyah last December with Garin Tzabar aiming to draft into the IDF with the program. Due to the COVID-19 this date was delayed, but yesterday she started her service- super excited and proud.

 I’m sure you’ll get Nachat out of this Video.

 This video here follows Tali’s journey for the past 4 months since she made Aliyah.

Tali is a wonderful representative of our Emanuel community and we are happy to share this video with her peers, our staff and all our families.

We hope you enjoy this video and we wish Tali all the best in her endeavours and new life in Israel.