Q&A: The Chabad Emissary
The Chabad Emissary
Question
Do you think there is room to say that the Chabad emissary who was murdered, may his memory be blessed, was killed in sanctification of God's name, since he was apparently killed because he was Jewish, and he was on a mission of spreading Torah and helping Jews abroad?
Answer
I don't think so. He may have done important and valuable things, but he did not give up his life for them (if he had known, he would not have continued being there). It happened to him. But perhaps if he was aware of the general danger involved (even if not a concrete one) and nevertheless remained, there is an aspect of sanctification of God's name in that.
Discussion on Answer
You are mistaken—because despite all the sorrow and appreciation for the Chabad emissary, Rabbi Michi's answer regarding sanctification of God's name is to the point—the Jewish law of what it means to die in sanctification of God's name is stated explicitly in the Talmud and in Maimonides: one who gives himself over to be killed for the sake of fulfilling a commandment, and according to Maimonides specifically for the three transgressions. And here, the beloved emissary did not sacrifice his life, and that does not detract from his enormous virtues.
What is possible, though, is that he falls into the category of those killed by the government, of whom it is said that no creature can stand in their place, but I do not know the precise definition in this case.
And regarding Gehenna, I actually saw that Michi believes in reward and punishment, if I'm not mistaken.
Rabbi Michi is lenient about Gehenna but stringent about the World to Come.