Why did Chananiah Mishael and Azariah choose to be cast into the furnace to sanctify Hashem’s name? They learned a kal v’chomer from the frogs. The frogs were not obligated in the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem yet [they willingly hopped into the ovens]. We who are commanded to perform a Kiddush Hashem they reasoned should certainly [surrender and be thrown into a burning furnace]. (Pesachim 53b cited in Daas Torah Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz ztz”l).
When I heard sizzling I thought someone had forgotten an omelet on the stove. But the stove was empty and the noise continued. I searched for my kids wondering what new game they had devised. My daughter was doing homework and my son was curled up with a book.
I went into the laundry room. The noise came from behind the washing machine — a squeaking nibbling scratching sound. A mouse.
I shrieked and ran out the room slamming the door behind me and wedging a chair against the handle. The mouse would chew its way through the pipes but I couldn’t bring myself to face it. I shivered. Why did Hashem create mice anyway?
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