Personal Business at Work During Lunch
QUESTION 50: PERSONAL BUSINESS AT WORK DURING LUNCH
There is some personal business that I sometimes do during
my lunch hour. I told my boss about it, and he said as
long as I do it on my own time (e.g. during lunch) that's
fine. When I use the phone for this purpose at lunch,
it might be that the person in the next cubicle can overhear,
and he may be wondering, why is that Orthodox Jew doing that
non-work activity during work hours. Would it reduce the
potential for chillul Hashem if I mention it to the person
in the next cubicle, so he doesn't get the wrong impression?
Is doing that in any way an obligation of mine, i.e. to reduce
the potential appearances of chillul Hashem, even when one
is not doing anything wrong?
RABBI BELSKY
Sure. A non-Jewish person who looks at an Orthodox person
definitely thinks (and rightly so) that the Orthodox person
has a higher standard. And here he might think that you are
moonlighting on the company's time. He may begin to think
that this is what all Orthodox Jews do, and that is a real
basis for chillul Hashem. By the way, this issue should
be on our minds constantly. Imagine what would be if all
Orthodox Jews would steer clear of any shady practice in
any shape or form what-so-ever. The kiddush Hashem would
change the world. And look at the damage done when an
exception hits the news, Hashem yerachem (may G-d have
mercy).
NEXT WEEK'S QUESTION 51: SUIT FOR DRY CLEANER
A few months ago I gave my dry cleaner dark blue pants
and a black jacket, and he said he would charge me for
$3 for each item, rather than $5 for a suit. Last week
I brought in black pants and a black jacket that weren't
from the same suit, but looked as if they were. If the
dry cleaner charges me the $5 price for a suit, should
I tell him they are not from one suit, since I know that
he is strict in this regard, or can I just put the items
on the counter and not say anything, and let him make
his own determination?
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