[Avodah] Heroes, Victims and Kedoshim

[Moshe Y. Gluck]

R' YG:
> I have wondered for many years whether there is *any* classic source
> for the notion that one who is killed for being a Jew, as opposed to
> one who *voluntarily* gives up his life for God, His Torah, His Mizvos,
> or His people, can be said to have died Al Kiddush Hashem.
<SNIP>
> And so I throw down the gauntlet; I challenge anyone to provide a
> classic, or at the very least pre-twentieth century, source for the
> doctrine that being murdered for being a Jew is a sufficient condition
> for being considered to have died Al Kiddush HaShem.

Would the crusades qualify? See Kinnah 25 (Ashmenaz, Mi Yitein Roshi Mayim)
where those killed are clearly considered to have been Mekadesh Sheim
Shamayim (for example, "Al Yichud Sheim Hameyuchad Yichadu Sheim B'gvurah,"
or, "G'onei Eretz U'n'kiyei Taharah Pa'amayim Kidshu sheim Hameyuchad
B'morah"). 

KT,
MYG