[Avodah] Rav Schwab on Chillul Hashem

Prof. Levine via Avodah avodah at lists.aishdas.org
Tue Nov 10 13:08:03 PST 2015


At 10:24 AM 11/10/2015, Micha Berger wrote:
>  I say that anything that is revolting to enlightened Gentiles is
>         forbidden to us, not just because of hilul hashem, but because
>         of the command to be holy. Anything the violates the norms
>         of enlightened human beings cannot be permitted to us, a holy
>         nation; can there be anything forbidden for them but permitted
>         to us? The Torah says that the nations are supposed to say:
>         "What a great nation, with such just laws and statutes!" But if
>         they are on a higher level than we in their laws and norms,
>         they will say about us: "What a foolish and disgusting nation!"...

But what is "revolting to enlightened Gentiles" (I am not sure who 
this refers to) and"the norms of enlightened human beings" change 
with time.  They also differ from culture to culture. For example, 
what is considered proper treatment of women differs widely 
throughout the world.

There was a time euthanasia was considered "revolting" in almost all 
gentile circles.  This is not the case today. See 
http://euthanasia.procon.org/  and http://www.euthanasia.com/
YL




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