Chillul Hashem
Chillul haShem (Hebrew: חילול השם "desecration of the Name"), meaning desecration of the name of God, is a term used in Judaism for any act or behavior that casts shame or brings disrepute to belief in God, any aspect of the Torah's teachings, Jewish law, or the Jewish community.
Hebrew Bible
The source for this commandment is found in the Leviticus 22:32: "And you shall not profane My holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the Lord who hallows you".
In Judaism
Any behavior or action that disgraces, harms or shames God and his Law is regarded as desecration of God's name, Chillul Hashem. Every sin a Jew does is Chillul Hashem.[1]
- Examples[1]
- Someone who is a mehalel shabbat ("desecrates" shabbat)[2]
- Someone who is a Mehalel Shabbat b'farhesya ("public desecrator of the Shabbat")[3]
- Non-kosher eating
- Stealing
- Lashon hara ("evil tongue")
The opposite concept, kiddush Hashem (sanctification of Hashem), means any action that brings honor, respect, and glory to God. It is often used to mean religious martyrdom. The obligation to refrain from desecration of Hashem is one of the 613 commandments in rabbinical enumeration.
References
- 1 2 See video lecture from position 15min:53sec, by Mizrachi, Rabbi Yosef. "Kedoshim – The Obligation to Be Holy". English Videos. DivineInformation.com by Kiruv Organisation. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ↑ Steinsaltz, Rabbi Adin. "Maharil Habib in his Tosafot Yom ha-Kippurim". Masechet Yoma 79a-85b. Orthodox Union. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ↑ Steinsaltz, Rabbi Adin. "Shabbat 129a – 135b". The Coming Week's Daf Yomi by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz - Parshat Shoftim. Orthodox Union. Archived from the original on September 16, 2005. Retrieved 5 July 2013.