[Avodah] More on What Constitutes Chillul Hashem?

[Prof. Levine]

At 01:31 PM 4/30/2010, Saul.Z.Newman wrote:
>From this it seems to me that any action or deed, whether illegal or
>legal, that in any way casts anything negative on Judaism is a Chillul
>Hashem.

>----- i think a counter example  would  be expounding or  advocating  any
>part of the torah that  brings derision from other jews or  gentiles.  so
>eg , if someone makes clear that he believes in mishkav zachar being a
>toeivah  , whereby he is just quoting the torah, by this definition it
>would be a chillul hashem, since  this is a view that most non-orthodox
>jews and gentiles  would consider unacceptable bigotry.   but by
>definition, following Hashem's word cannot be  a chillul  hashem....

I agree. However, I would not call this a counter example. I would 
not say that the Torah's position on homosexuality casts negativity 
on Judaism. Society's values are wrong.  And, of course, this applies 
to anything in which society's values conflict with the eternal and 
Divine values of the Torah.

[Email #2. -micha]

At 01:31 PM 4/30/2010, Zev Sero wrote:
>Prof. Levine wrote:
>> At 04:33 PM 4/28/2010, Zev Sero wrote:
>>>   But in most countries the average person breaks the law
>>> himself as often as he finds convenient, and certainly doesn't look
>>> down on others just for doing things that are illegal.

>> Can you point to any studies that back up these assertions?

>Studies?  Just look around you.  What normal American thinks it's wrong
>to jaywalk, or to get a parking ticket, or to smoke a joint, or to bet
>on a game?  What normal American would think less of someone for doing so?
>If you need a study for that, there's something very wrong.

Well, I guess that despite the fact that my parents were born here, 
so that I am second generation American born,  then I am not a 
"normal" American. I think that all of these things are wrong and I 
do indeed think less of people who do these things.  Indeed, I view 
double parking by an observant Jew as not only wrong but a Chillul 
Hashem.   And, my experience is that no one looks favorably on people 
who double park which is definitely illegal. YL