52 Michael S. Stroh
blessed relief. The body, perhaps, created by a malevolent god or demi-urge is the seat of all evil. For example, in Gnosticism , escape from the body, which is the source of evil, corruption and suffering, is a goal of the system.
In the Jewish tradition praise is given to those she masru et nafsham al kiddush hashem, those who sacrifice their lives to sanctify God ’s name.
“Said Rav Papa to Abaye : How is it that for the former
generations miracles were performed, and for us miracles are
not performed? He replied to him: former generations were willing to sacrifice their lives for the sanctity of(God ’s) name. We do not sacrifice our lives for the sanctity of
The rabbis of Rav Papa’s day were being told that they were unworthy of God performing miracles for them because they did not have the strength to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the Name. This also reflects the point of view that as time passes, spiritual resources decline; that spiritually, the earlier is always better. The authority of the past is that, in truth, their wisdom was higher, closer to the source, than ours. This contrasts with the modern Weltanschauung in which the later is always wiser and better. The ancient sages did not believe in spiritual progress.
There is a consideration of when martyrdom is mandated: “By a majority vote, it was resolved... that in every(other) law of the Torah , if one is commanded:‘Transgress and suffer not death,’ they may transgress and suffer not death, excepting idolatry, incest,(which includes adultery) and murder.” When the act is public“one must incur martyrdom rather than transgress even a minor precept.’
The difference between a private and public act is the principle of marit ayin- the way it appears. If someone sees a great sage doing the forbidden, that person may lose faith and be led to sin. A sage, therefore, should choose death rather than violate even a minor mitzvah.