Mitzvah #226 - Setting a good example

Any behavior which causes a Chillul Hashem - a desecration of Gcd's name - is forbidden.

There are 3 aspects to this prohibition:

1. If one is being coerced to sin with the intention of profaning one's religion, then one has to be prepared to be killed rather than sin. In the case of idolatry, adultery and idol worship, even if the intention is not religiously oriented one has to be prepared to die rather than sin. One who sins rather than dies has done a Chillul Hashem.

2. One who does any sin merely for the sake of rebelling against Gcd, and not because he will benefit from the sin, has done a Chillul Hashem.

3. When a person who people look up to (like a Rabbi or teacher) does something which most people assume is wrong (even if technically it's permitted) then he has done a Chillul Hashem.

The sin of Chillul Hashem - desecrating Gcd's name - is so severe that Teshuva (repentance) and Yom Kippur are not sufficient to eradicate it; and only death completes the atonement.

Applies to everybody, everywhere, always.

Verse: "Do not desecrate My Holy Name" (Vayikra 22:32)

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Prohibition 155

- Danny
Monday, 27 Elul 5770

Mitzvah #1 - To Believe that Gcd exists

It's a Mitzvah to believe that Hashem exists and that He created all that exists and continues to supervise all of creation.

This is a fundamental belief of Judaism and one who doesn't believe this is not considered a full-fledged Jew.

This is one of the rare Mitzvoth for which one is required to give up ones life rather than transgress it.

This Mitzvah applies all the time to both males and females. One fulfills it every time one thinks about Hashem's existence.

Pasuk: "I am Hashem your Gcd"; the first of the 10 commandments.

Source: The Chafetz-Chaim's Sefer haMitzvot haKatzar; Positive Mitzvah 1

- Danny
 12 Tishrei 5770