Life in a Fishbowl
A thought on Parashas Emor
Anyone who’s ever been in the public eye, or is close to someone who has been, knows the feeling of life in a fishbowl, where you’re always being seen and often misunderstood. Lately, I’ve realized this isn’t an experience that is exclusive to public figures. Rather, this is a Jewish experience. In a way, we’re all living in that fishbowl. People notice and observe ,then they draw conclusions—fair or not.1
That’s not a flaw in the system. It’s part of our mission.
In Parashas Emor, after detailing the responsibilities of the Kohanim, the Torah gives a language to this experience:
ושמרתם מצותי ועשיתם אתם… ולא תחללו את־שם קדשי ונקדשתי בתוך בני ישראל
"You shall observe My commandments and perform them… and you shall not profane My holy Name, but I shall be sanctified among the Children of Israel."2
The idea of kiddush Hashem and its opposite, chillul Hashem, serve as the foundation for the Jewish concept of martyrdom, as well as for the tefillos of Kaddish and Kedusha. Additionally, there is a mitzvah that requires individuals, who are seen as representatives of Hashem, to demonstrate outstanding behavior in all aspects of life. It’s about what people see when they look at us. How we live, speak and respond when no one else steps up.
According to Ibn Ezra3, this mitzvah specifically applies to Kohanim, as the context in which it is mentioned is in regard to the halachos that pertain to Kohanim. However, it is worth noting that Bnei Yisrael are often referred to as a nation of Priests.4 In light of this, the Rambam5 emphasizes that the mitzvah of kiddush Hashem applies to the entire House of Israel, without exception. This is expressed in our parashah, which states, "And I shall be sanctified amidst the Children of Israel." Furthermore, we are warned not to profane His holy name, as the same passuk declares, "And they shall not desecrate My holy name."
Rav Yaakov Kamenetzky6 taught that the phrase "the entire House of Israel" includes even children. Based on this, he asked: How can children, who aren't halachically obligated, be expected to give their lives al Kiddush Hashem?
Rav Yaakov explains that the mitzvah of kiddush Hashem is unique among the 613 mitzvot, in that it is passive in nature. We are not explicitly instructed to actively be mekadesh shem shamayim; rather, it is something that transpires as a result of our actions.
Therefore, this mitzvah applies to the ‘entire House of Israel’, every single one of us, from the moment we are born. It is not necessary to be a 'bar chiyuva,' as being mekadesh shem shamayim emerges naturally from our deeds. People will witness and internalize our actions, and through them, God's name will be more respected.
When an individual is identified with God, they essentially serve as a representation of God Himself. Every action, no matter how ordinary, dull, or routine it may be, reflects on God - because they are perceived as being connected.
My father often quotes the powerful words of his Rebbe, Rav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, that every decision and action in life is either a kiddush Hashem or a chillul Hashem.
The Tiferes Shlomo of Radomsk explains that chillul Hashem occurs when the absence of kiddush Hashem leaves a void unfulfilled. This manifests in exile, persecution, and other tribulations we experience collectively as a people.
As a people, we are continually observed by the world from our youth to our final moments. While living in this global fishbowl, it is essential that we strive to create a Kiddush Hashem through our actions.
As Rabbi Sacks eplains “When people associate religiosity with integrity, decency, humility, and compassion, God’s Name is sanctified. When they come to associate it with contempt for others and for the law, the result is a desecration of God’s Name.”
The aim of this mitzvah is more than being an Ohr L’amim and teaching the world morality, it’s about enhancing the world's respect for the moral principles of Judaism. There is more potential to enhance one’s appreciation for moral standards when they are attuned to it, thus the ability to make a kiddush Hashem in a religious environment is sensitive and powerful. In this area, it is our modest actions which achieve more by personal example, in our thoughts, words, and actions.
That’s where the fishbowl comes full circle. We’re not being watched because we’re famous, we’re being watched because we’re representatives.
Fishbowls often have a magnifying effect. Living in the fishbowl means that even our most ordinary moments present something much greater. When we present well, it’s not just us that gets attention—it’s the One we represent.
May our collective efforts inspire those around us and be mekadesh shem shamayim in the eyes of the world. In doing so, may we usher in an era of unity, peace, and hashra’as ha’Shechinah and experiencing the ultimate fulfillment of our purpose as the Bnei Yisrael.
Thank you Chief Rabbi Mirvis for the inspiration on this concept https://chiefrabbi.org/all-media/coron/
Vayikra 22:31-32
ibid.
Shemos 20:6
Yesodei HaTorah 5;1
Emes L’Yaakov - Emor
This is an incredibly important concept, especially when those we see and interact with are operationally observant live we are.