<p>"This whole idea that<br>breaking the law is a chilul hashem has no foundation. The notion<br>that one must obey the law simply because it is the law is abhorrent,<br>and the fact that Germans believe it and Americans don't explains a<br>
lot about those nations' recent history.</p>
<div>Zev Sero </div>
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<div>In the good old USA, if one truly believes that a particular law is unjust or unfair, one has recourse through the court system. But our theoretical Jew is not interested in any due process other than his own --- he doesn't attempt to conform with the legal requirements (e.g. get the permit), or appealing if he is wrongfully prevented from doing what he believes is correct. He won't do so, because to him these annoying regulations are only for yenem, not for those of us who only answer to a higher authority. It's ok to use the system (food stamps, etc.) if it suits him and ignore when it suits him. </div>
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<div>In some circumstances, it is the breaking of the law that creates a chilul Hashem (e.g. child abuse by those decked out in full charedi accouterments) . In other circumstances it's not the breaking of the law that's a chilul Hashem, but the attitude towards the law and its enforcement that creates it.</div>
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<div>David I. Cohen</div>