Sanctifying Hashem’s Name

By Rabbi Moshe Krieger, Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah (www.bircas.org)

In Parashas Mattos, Moshe is commanded to take revenge against the Midyanim. After this task, he would be gathered unto his nation (he would then die). Moshe immediately undertook to fulfill the command even though he knew that it would be the final mitzvah of his life. Why was this Moshe Rabbeinu’s final mitzvah?

It was not a coincidence that Moshe was commanded to fulfill this mitzvah in his final days. Rashi states (Bamidbar 35:5) that Moshe had to force the soldiers to go to the war of revenge against the Midyanim, because they did not want to bring about Moshe’s death. Rashi confirms that had they not gone to war, Moshe would have retained the right to live, as this mitzvah was a task that he he had to do. Moshe had many tasks that only he could perform in his lifetime, such as taking the Jews out of Egypt and bringing the Torah down to this world. Why was it so crucial that Moshe take revenge on the Midyanim himself?

Moreover, we generally relate to revenge as a negative behavior. Indeed, we are commanded (Vayikra 19:18) not to take revenge against another person. Why was revenge a commandment this time?

The Ohr HaChaim answers that there are two types of revenge. Most people see revenge as venting one’s frustration and letting one’s evil inclination run wild. This form of revenge is a negative, destructive form of behavior. Here, however, revenge was positive, as the Jewish people had received the impression that others could lead them to sin, costing them their lives, and the perpetrators got off scot-free. Revenge against the Midyanim was needed to teach that Hashem is a G-d of justice, and that the world is not a free-for-all.

Revenge that teaches that there is justice in the world sanctifies Hashem’s Name. When Moshe failed to react to the deed of Zimri (Bamidbar 25:6) quickly enough, Pinchas stepped in and zealously defended Hashem’s honor. Moshe needed to correct this slight imperfection, and this was why the command to take revenge on the Midyanim was given to him.

Rav Shach writes that Hashem never told Moshe to take revenge on the Midyanim immediately. He had the prerogative to delay and accomplish more mitzvos in his life. Still, Moshe knew that sanctifying Hashem’s Name is the most important thing a person can accomplish, and he did not wish to delay.

The Navi states (Yeshaya 43:7), “Anything that is called in My Name, I created for My honor.” The Gra (in Siddur HaGra, tov yatzar kavod kavod lishmo) explains the verse that the whole world was created to give glory to the Creator. As creations, this is the goal of our lives. We should constantly weigh our actions to determine if they add to or detract from Hashem’s honor. Things that are permissible may be seen differently when viewed through the lens of Hashem’s honor. Moreover, this lens elevates our good deeds and mitzvos by adding the intent to give glory to Hashem.

Just as Moshe Rabbeinu was charged to make up for the lack of Hashem’s honor that he had caused, we must also be concerned about this. Rav Gamliel Rabinovitch once said that a person who was lax about Hashem’s honor when he was younger should put in extra effort to increase His honor when he is older. He suggests that people get involved in doing things for the public good, give a Torah class, or bring people closer to Torah.

Really, all of our dealings with people are opportunities to increase Hashem’s honor in the world. In Yoma (86a), we are charged, “May Hashem’s Name become beloved through you.” Honest dealings with people, acting with manners and behaving with refined character are all ways of accomplishing this.

Rav Avraham Pam stressed this idea very much to his students. Once, a student of Rav Pam asked permission to accept a position in an office of mostly non-Jewish employees, as he saw that he was unable to support his family while engaged in full-time Torah study. Rav Pam agreed with three conditions: that he be the most honest worker in the office, the hardest worker in the office, and pleasant with everyone. Rav Pam was always concerned that his students sanctify Hashem’s Name, and this was the way that he felt it could be accomplished in an office environment.

May we sanctify Hashem’s Name with all of our actions!

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