[Avodah] Is it permissible to eat while walking outside through a marketplace?

[Micha Berger]

On Mon, Nov 30, 2020 at 05:25:15PM +0000, Prof. L. Levine via Avodah wrote:
>  From today's OU Kosher Halacha Yomis
> 
> > Q. Is it permissible to eat while walking outside through a marketplace?
> 
>> A. The Gemara (Kidushin 40b) ... Rav Idi Bar Avin said, the halacha
>> follows 'Some say' (that such individuals may not bear testimony)." The
>> Rambam (Hilchos Eidus 11:5) and Shulchan Aruch (CM 34:18) both rule in
>> accordance with Rav Idi Bar Avin.
...
>> The Yerushalmi (Maseros 3:2) relates that Rebbi Elazar bar Rebbi Shimon
>> was eating in the marketplace and Rebbi Meir stopped him and told him
>> that such behavior was unbefitting of a talmid chacham.... The Shulchan
>> Aruch (Choshen Mishpat 34:18, see Sema ibid. 44) follows the opinion
>> that the Yerushalmi is discussing eating in a side area of the market,
>> where there are only a few people. ... On the other hand, the Bavli is
>> dealing with eating in the central area...

This raises a recurring question WRT chilul hasheim and the behavior of
talmidei chakhamim.

Nowadays, when shomerei Torah umitzvos are a minority, anyone dressed
identifiably like an Orthodox Jew is seen as representing Torah. Much
the way talmidei chakhamim were seen by the masses in the classical
period. An Orthodox-dressed Jew who goes out looking like a shlump
creates pretty much the same impression today that a TC who went out
with dirty clothes did then.

So, how many of the laws of how a TC should behave and should present
himself apply to all of us?

Tir'u baTov!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger                 There's only one corner of the universe
http://www.aishdas.org/asp   you can be certain of improving,
Author: Widen Your Tent      and that's your own self.
- https://amzn.to/2JRxnDF    	    - Aldous Huxley