[Avodah] Definition of a Mechalel Shabbos Befarhesya

[Lisa Liel via Avodah]

On 12/10/2015 11:04 AM, Rabbi Meir G. Rabi via Avodah wrote:
> Is it not true that the status of a Mechalel Shabbos BeFarhesya is not
> so much a reflection upon the actual Aveira but upon the mindset?
> The guy who smokes at home during Shabbos is ashamed to publicly
> display his mutiny - at some level there is a degree of respect for
> Shabbos, although it may well be the smaller part of his motivation.
> Whereas the guy who walks down the street on Shabbos, smoking a cigar,
> is not just satisfying an urge, or even rebelling between himself and
> HKBH, he is wanting to publicly display his disdain for Torah and
> Mitzvos.

You could say that, but you could also compare it to geneiva/gezeila.

A guy who smokes at home during Shabbat is afraid of what people will say,
but not of Hashem's judgment, while a guy who walks down the street on
Shabbat smoking a cigar just doesn't really care.

Lisa