(By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5TJT.com) There are numerous stores in New York City that are facing severe economic disaster.  Although some businesses have been allowed to remain open because they have been classified as essential businesses, others may not be open. Thus, candy stores and convenience stores are all open.They are considered essential.  Clothing shops and shoe stores in Boro Park and Williamsburg are told to be closed. It is unfair. Many argue that the law should not decide to destroy a person’s livelihood, and that these business owners should at least be given the chance to open safely – mandating masks and social distancing. The situation is truly unfair.  Respectfully protesting this inequity is actually a reflection of an admirable quality – being noseh b’ol chaveiro – empathizing with another person’s situation. However, even when faced with something that is unfair or unjust – we must always avoid Chillul Hashem and aim for Kiddush Hashem in all our actions and words. We must treat everyone we encounter with the utmost respect. The reason is that every person is created B’Tzelem Elokim. All people are a reflection of Hashem’s Divine Image. Disrespecting any human being is being disrespectful to the Creator Himself. We should also never engage in name-calling. Sadly, it seems that a number of people gathered outside had violated some or all of these basics when Boro Park stores were visited by the officers from the Sheriff’s Department.  These were public servants just doing their job at the place that they were told to go. It boggles the mind that someone could have actually said, “Go back to Germany!” Do these people know what the Nazis did? Can they fathom the depth of their atrocities, or the great Tzaddikim that they killed? The thought that these public servants could be called that by “unzerah yidden” causes us to shudder. We need a discussion of the very basics of what is a chillul Hashem. This article will attempt to discuss and clarify these basics – but first, an introduction. THE GEMORAH IN SHABBOS The world was created for Torah and its study (See Midrash Tanchuma Bereishis 10).  Since this is the case, there is a difficult Gemorah in Shabbos (31a) that requires explanation.  The Gemorah tells us that the very first question we are asked in the world to come is, “Were you honest in your business dealings?” Why should this be the first question?  Since Torah is more important than anything else, the next question that the Gemorah tells us is asked  – should rather be asked first, “Did you set times for Torah study?” The Pri Magadim in his Aishel Avrohom (OC 156:2) cites the Eliyahu Rabba’s grandfather’s answer to this question, that if Heaven forbid he was not honest in his business dealings — his entire Torah learning constitutes a Chillul Hashem! In other words, this question is a prerequisite for Torah study, because if he is not honest with others in business, the Torah learning is not a source of merit.  It is the opposite.  The Torah learning itself is the source of Chillul Hashem. This shows how very serious and fundamental the concept of Chillul Hashem actually is. WHO IS COMMANDED IN IT Every Jew is commanded not to desecrate Hashem’s Name, as […]

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