Rabbi Chein responds: The point in the conversation wasn't really to avoid Chilul Hashem. The point was to devise a way in which a prospective convert can begin learning how to observe Shabbat while at the same time not breaking the law that only a Jew may keep Shabbat. The issue with the bar was brought up as a side point, and my answer was (meant) to point out that a prospective convert in that stage of the game should not be in a bar on Shabbat—and he should only be breaking it in private. Naturally there are different stages in the conversion process, and at the early stages one would not know how to observe Shabbat, and one would probably not be ready to observe Shabbat. However, there comes a point when the rabbinical court will want the prospective convert to begin integrating with a religious community so he can get accustomed to what life is like as a Jew. In my conversation I was assuming that was the stage we were talking about, and it was regarding this type of individual that I was referring to. At this stage you don't want a prospective convert to stick out for three reasons: 1) His sensitivity. You can't ask one to blend in and stick out. It is very uncomfortable for any newcomer to integrate in a religious community, and you don't want to make it more uncomfortable by having him break Shabbat in public and stick out like a sore thumb. (Sure the rabbi will know his situation and won't count him in the Minyan etc., but it is unfair to make him announce it or have him be in your face about it). 2) Practicality. As a Chabad Rabbi we are used to doing things different than the people around us, which often makes us stick out. Many times we WISH people would only ask for an explanation for our behavior because we are capable of offering a rational, and many times beautiful, answer. The reality is people DON'T ask, rather they draw their own conclusions and begin to stereotype (Askmoses plays a tremendous role here by giving people an opportunity to ask, and therefore receive correct answers). The same is true with a prospective convert in a religious community. The reality is not everyone can and/or will ask him. People will just draw their own conclusions and come to judgments about him and the community. Therefore he is expected to keep the standard of the community - but at the same time break Shabbat at least once a Shabbat in private because he is not yet a Jew. (Incidentally, I can just see myself getting a question on Askmoses something similar to the following: I was in an orthodox synagogue and I saw a man (not knowing he was the prospective convert) talking on his cell phone in the hall way, and the Rabbi walked by and did not say a word. I am not religious, and I am not part of that community; I was just passing by, and I couldn't believe my eyes). 3) Most importantly: defeating the purpose. The point of his integrating in a religious community is to get accustomed to the complexities of day to day Judaism. In Halachah there are many things we are forbidden to do on Shabbat, just so we don't get to used to something, and then come to accidentally breaking an actual law. Similarly regarding the laws of milk and meat we find stricter precautions than when dealing with actual Treif—because we are accustomed to eating milk and meat separately, we have a lifestyle in which they are permitted, and so we can easily make a mistake if we are not extremely careful and used to doing the right thing. Judaism is complex. There are many laws, and various situations one can find himself in. It is therefore not enough to just read a book, rather a person must get real life practice of being Jewish before actually becoming Jewish. Now imagine if someone is scheduled to convert on Monday; how can we expect him to still be driving to Shul that Shabbos!

A person who is extremely busy and therefore neglects to eat on a particular day has not fasted -- he has just not eaten! Similarly, a non-Jew who happened not to do any work on Shabbat has not transgressed the prohibition against a Gentile observing the Shabbat.