When responding to the Kedushah one must concentrate intensely, as it is an awesome praise which the exalted angels respond with awe and say with fear. He should close his eyes and raise them upwards. While saying the words “Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,” he should jump three times and concentrate on fulfilling the commandment of “And I will be made holy in the midst of the children of Yisrael”, and concentrate on being ready and prepared to fulfil this commandment in the ultimate way by giving away his life to sanctify the Name of Hashem, when the opportunity arises. When saying the above verse he should also concentrate on its explanation in the Targum, which is that Hashem is holy up, down and forever. When saying each response of the Kedushah he should concentrate on the fact that these responses contain profound and lofty secrets, and that by responding one is building levels in heaven, and giving great pleasure to his Creator. Go out and extrapolate from the reward promised, for Chazal said that “Anyone who answers Yehei Shemei Rabbah with all of his strength will have his sentence torn up, and all of his sins will be forgiven!”, and the commentators explained that when it says “With all of his strength” it means with all of his concentration and moving his internal organs. It follows that it is fitting for anyone who has fear of heaven that he must strengthen himself with an abundance of strength and power to respond and concentrate in the best way according to his level of knowledge once more. If those who refrain from responding would know the magnitude of the reward for answering Amen and Yehei shemeih rabbah, Barechu and Kedushah, they would run to go to listen and respond, and on each response they would be happy like one who has found a vast treasure. May Hashem plant love of Him and fear of Him in our hearts, to make our will like His. Amen. so shall be His will.
Sunday
כ"ט סיון התשפ"ו
