Lately, I've heard the term "Chillul Hashem" bandied about. I'm not a Torah scholar, so I would appreciate some help from your bloggers. Does this term come from folklore, or does this have a Hallachick/Talmudik basis? If the latter can someone provide me with an original source that applies this concept in the context of any behavior by a Jew that does not meet with the approval of the Gentiles.
I also would like some clarity as to what constitutes a "Chillul Hashem" and what is the converse, "Kiddush Hashem".
If a captain of a sports team who happens to Jewish lets down his Gentle teammates by refusing to play on Shabbos is that a Kiddush Hashem or a Chillul Hashem. I think it ought to be considered a "Chillul Hashem", because his teammates through no fault of their own can be adversely effected financially, should they lose a championship because of his reluctance to be a team player.
Conversely, the appearance of a Jewish girl on the cover of the prestigious swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated is a great "Kiddush Hashem", is it not? Does it not demonstrate to the Goyim that a nearly unclad Jewess can be as attractive as a non-Jewish one?. Likewise, in 1998, an Israeli girl was crowned Miss World. Is that a "Kiddush Hashem"? I believe that she became a Baalas Teshuvah, and now covers her hair with a "tichel". Does this now diminish her former accomplishment, because she has deprived the world of the appreciation of her beauty?
The proper classification of Jewish behavior as a "Kidduch Hashem" or "Chillul Hashem" eludes me, and I would appreciate your elucidation on this subject.
Lately, I've heard the term "Chillul Hashem" bandied about. I'm not a Torah scholar, so I would appreciate some help from your bloggers. Does this term come from folklore, or does this have a Hallachick/Talmudik basis? If the latter can someone provide me with an original source that applies this concept in the context of any behavior by a Jew that does not meet with the approval of the Gentiles.
ReplyDeleteI also would like some clarity as to what constitutes a "Chillul Hashem" and what is the converse, "Kiddush Hashem".
If a captain of a sports team who happens to Jewish lets down his Gentle teammates by refusing to play on Shabbos is that a Kiddush Hashem or a Chillul Hashem. I think it ought to be considered a "Chillul Hashem", because his teammates through no fault of their own can be adversely effected financially, should they lose a championship because of his reluctance to be a team player.
Conversely, the appearance of a Jewish girl on the cover of the prestigious swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated is a great "Kiddush Hashem", is it not? Does it not demonstrate to the Goyim that a nearly unclad Jewess can be as attractive as a non-Jewish one?. Likewise, in 1998, an Israeli girl was crowned Miss World. Is that a "Kiddush Hashem"? I believe that she became a Baalas Teshuvah, and now covers her hair with a "tichel". Does this now diminish her former accomplishment, because she has deprived the world of the appreciation of her beauty?
The proper classification of Jewish behavior as a "Kidduch Hashem" or "Chillul Hashem" eludes me, and I would appreciate your elucidation on this subject.
jews not being careful on pikuach nefesh = chilul hashem
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