In the memorial prayers of many liturgies, those who died in the Shoah are said to have died "Al Kiddush Hashem", "for the sanctification of the divine name." That's the term that's traditionally used for Jewish martyrs. Are the victims of the Shoah martyrs? Or do we use the term to give us some comfort in the face of existential absurdity? We'll look at the history of the Hebrew term and the concept, as well as some approaches to the issue in the case of the Shoah.

There's a long history in our texts of brothers who disagree. Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau. Clive and Michael Lawton have decided to carry on this noble tradition, even if in a more moderate manner. A murder is not expected.