The Holocaust Survivor’s Answer That Made a Rabbi Cry | Avinu Malkeinu - Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair

A Holocaust survivor once asked Reb Itzikel of Antwerp, "Why in the prayer of Avinu Malkenu do we both say, Avinu Malkenu Asei L'maan Harugim Al Shem Kodshecha? >> [music] >> Our Father, our King, act for the sake of those who were murdered for Your holy name. But we also say, Avinu Malkenu Asei L'maan T'vuchim Al Yichudcha? [music] Our Father, our King, act for the sake of those who were slaughtered for Your oneness. Aren't they the same thing?" Reb Itzikel thought for a moment, but he didn't have an answer. The Holocaust survivor said, "May I give the Rebbe my own answer?" The Rebbe said, [music] "Yes, of course. Please do." The survivor said, "When the Nazis, Yemach Shemam, marched into my town, [music] they took 100 men and lined them up in front of the river. Then a Nazi with a machine gun started shooting from the right side of the line and moved his gun towards the left till he'd mown everyone down. When the shooting began, all the men started to say, Shema Yisrael in unison. Those on the right didn't manage to finish the verse. They only had time to say, Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu. They were Harugim Al Shem Kodshecha. They were murdered for the sake of Hashem's holy name. Hashem Elokeinu. Those on the left managed to stay alive a little bit longer and they were able to say, Hashem Echad. Hashem is one. They were slaughtered for the sake of the unity of Hashem's name. When Reb Itzikel heard this, he burst into tears and he couldn't stop crying. No one knows the [music] length of the days of his life. Some may sanctify God's name with their death, but all of us, every day, can sanctify His [music] name and maybe even make clear the unity of his name in this world with our lives, with our thoughts, with our words, with our kindness, with our mitzvahs. May God seal all of Israel in the book of eternal life for a good year.