By Shiffy Fagan, Upper School Judaic Studies Teacher.
In this week's parsha, Parshas Bo, the final makka of makas bechoros takes place. Rabbi Yissocher Frand, in his drasha on the parsha, asks a very important question about this makka. Because of this makka, firstborn children were sanctified and given a special role, such as being designated as kohanim in the Beis Hamikdash, as well as the concept of pidyon haben. Rabbi Frand quotes the Alter of Kelm, who asks:
What did these firstborns do to deserve such a special title? Yes, they were involved in a kiddush Hashem, since the makka occurred through them, but they were extremely passive—this was not something they actively chose to do. In fact, the fact that they are the oldest was not in their control at all! In a letter to the famous philanthropist Baron Rothschild, the Alter writes:
"If this is the reward for a person who has a passive role in a kiddush Hashem," wrote Rav Simchah Zissel, "how can we even begin to imagine the reward of a person who actively makes a kiddush Hashem?” The bechor was involved in passive kiddush Hashem, yet he is blessed because of it! This comes to teach us a major lesson in the power of a kiddush Hashem and, of course, the flip side: the importance of avoiding a chilul Hashem. We were put into this world to bring everyone to the recognition of אחד ושמו אחד ה׳, and we need to ensure that our actions in this world promote such a message! This can be done in so many ways. We need to ensure that we always make a kiddush Hashem and embrace our lives as Jews, even if that means, for example, davening in an airport filled with people who look at us strangely. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l once said: “Non-Jews respect Jews who respect Judaism, and are embarrassed by Jews who are embarrassed by Judaism.” When we embrace our lives and try to portray Jewish life as a respectable and meaningful way of living, that is how we get others to respect us! Making a kiddush Hashem means holding ourselves to a higher standard, both in our interactions with non-Jews and with our fellow Jews! The lesson of the bechor is the kedusha that results when we are involved in kiddush Hashem! Iy"h, we should take the lessons of the bechor with us and work on making a kiddush Hashem in our lives, so that we can hopefully bring the world to the final recognition of אחד ושמו אחד ה׳!
Have a beautiful Shabbos kodesh!