02 Nov SPEAK YOUR VUES WITH THE VUES MASTER
SPEAK YOUR VUES WITH THE VUES MASTER
Please note that the author of Speak Your Vues is in no way affiliated with the publisher of this paper. The author of this column is an independent third party contributor. The views and opinions expressed by this author may not reflect the views and opinions of the publishers. If one has any issues with any of the views, please write a letter to the Vues Master.
COPYING THE BAIS
HAMIKDOSH
Dear Vues Master:
The Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 141-8) states,
“You are not allowed to replicate the
שלחן†and מנורה†etc. of the
בית†המקדש†. The type of metal or size
doesn’t matter. You may not make a seven-
branch Menorah”. R.Akiva Eiger’s
son in law (R. Shmuel Birnbaum zt”l)
writes his Shver had a silver Judenstern
Shabbos lamp with seven spouts. He took
it to a silversmith who with great difficulty
managed to add on an additional spout
so it wouldn’t be a seven-branch Menorah
R.A.Eiger seems to hold like the
Poskim* that since we are dealing with
an לא†תעשון†אתי) איסור†דאורייתא†) therefore
all seven branch Menorahs are forbidden,
regardless of the shape (cups are
in a straight line or in a circle etc.) The
Chasam Sofer (Toras Moshe Parshas Yisro)
writes (based on a Tosfos Yoma 54b)
“ Because we hold wooden tables would
be פסול†in the בית†המקדש†therefore, we
may make and have wooden tables in our
homes. However, metal tables regardless
of size shape, or type of metal are kosher
בדיעבד†in the
בית†המקדש†,therefore, all metal tables
may not be made or held for personal
use.” The Ch. S. continues that he sees
no היתר†for the Matzoh bakery to have
copper (metal) tables. According to
the Chasam Sofer, there is no היתר†to
own any metal tables. (Most commercial
kitchens in yeshivos, Shuls, Halls
etc. have stainless steel tables) The
Darkei Teshuva (Y.D. 141-8) argues
on the Ch.S., he writes, “ We find the
גמרא†(Shabbos 119a) R. Chiya b Aba
praised the Ba’al Habayis who brought
in L’kovod Shabbos a golden table. Had
it been אסור†to make he would not have
praised him.
MF
Vues Master’s Note: I wonder if anyone
in a commercial kitchen does not have
metal tables.Obviously we don’t hold like
the above!!
FOLLOW THE LEADER
Dear Vues Master:
A Bishop once said to
ר׳†יהונתן†איבשיץ†, “You say that there
was no בן†אלוקים†. But can so many
people be mistaken?” ר׳†יהונתן†didn’t
answer. Instead, he said, “Let’s go out
to the market.” The two of them went
to the center of town and ר׳†יהונתן†stood
staring at the sky. When people saw
this, a large crowd gathered and also
turned their eyes skyward. “Do you
see the angels flying above us?” the רב
asked the crowd. One by one they said
no. Finally, one man said: “Yes. Yes. I
see them. I see
שרפים†ואופנים†וחיות†הקודש†.” Immediately,
others joined in and said “Yes,
there they are. We see them.” Turning
to the Bishop, ר׳†יהונתן†said with a
smile: “But I don’t see anything but a
blue sky. You ask how one person can
mislead so many.”
MB
Vues Master’s Note: I think we see it with
our Country we have the blind Biden who
is senile and sleeping all the time running
our Country What a joke!!
HEIMISH
Dear Vues Master:
I have often encountered the misconception
that a well organized home does not
need to be reorganized. This is false. Especially
a Yiddishe heim full of children
at different ages and stages needs to be
continually adapted to suit the changing
needs of each family member.
RV
Vues Master’s Note: I think as long as
you feel heimish and not be’heimish!
MOTIVATION
Dear Vues Master:
A few months ago I was struggling with my davening. I wasn’t motivated to join a minyan, or even daven by myself at home. When I davened, I felt empty, my words seemed empty and I didn’t feel that I was standing before G-d. Rosh Hashanah was fast approaching, and I knew this wasn’t the time for a crisis in my relationship with G-d. I needed to shape up – and fast. I remembered something a friend of mine told me about his father’s davening, and I decided to try to copy him. This friend’s father is one of the greatest Rabbis of our generation – if not the greatest. Many of the stories he told me about his father centered around the people his father prayed for in his own davening. I found it fascinating that this Torah scholar would spend time davening for taxi drivers and the average people he met – and by name. I decided to take down names of people that needed something and ask Hashem to help them. Any time I heard of someone sick, suffering financially, or in a rough spot, I’d jot down their name in a little notebook and pray for them in my Shemoneh Esrie. Taking down those names and praying for them in my Shemoneh Esrie changed my life. My Shemoneh Esrei became meaningful once again. It also changed how I viewed others. Davening earnestly for people or their relatives three times a day made me feel a bond to them I’d never felt towards people before. I’d also constantly ask these people how they or their relatives were doing. If someone didn’t have a job, I found myself networking on their behalf and then asking Hashem to help me help them. Then, people started getting better, and I celebrated. Someone who was having troubles financially who I davened for landed an interview and another person found a job. I knew enough not to be arrogant and think it was my prayers doing it, but I was grateful that my prayers were being answered. But then today, Hashem said no. At least that’s how I feel. My father’s friend, someone my father looked up to as a leader and a role model who had been sick for a few years passed away. I’m close to his children and my children are close to his grandchildren. I grew up praying a few benches away from him and his children in shul. When my father turned 40 and my mother took us to San Francisco to celebrate, Leo happened to be there on a business trip and made a point to stop by – in the middle of the day – to join us for a celebratory lunch. Leo was on my list and in my notebook. Three times a day I asked Hashem to perform a miracle, to make the doctors and the diagnosis wrong. I’d often hear the end was near, and Leo would pull through, and I’d redouble my efforts and pray even harder. I knew a recovery was unlikely, but I’d never been told no before. Leo was a truly righteous Jew. One of Rabbi Yudin’s main men. These were special men, the leaders of Shomrei Torah in Fair Lawn. They’d work hours, days, weeks, years and decades for the community and its institutions. Leo was one of them. These were men who knew life wasn’t about the Mets, Nets or Jets. Life to them was about the community and making people’s lives better. If anyone deserved the miracle it was Leo. Hashem could say yes. But today He didn’t. Today, Leo’s son in law approached me and told me something I truly believed I wouldn’t ever hear. Leo was called away from us. I cried then, I’ve been crying all day, and other than a few hours when I had to put on a happy face for guests, I was a broken man. Hashem said no. My wife is a hospice chaplain and is trained to help people when Hashem says no. She told me what I tell others when I put on my Rabbi hat and console those who have lost someone. Hashem didn’t say no, He said yes to ending pain and suffering. I cry as I type this, and I feel strange sharing these feelings. I know Hashem said yes, but I also know He said no. I’ll still daven just as hard tomorrow, but it’ll be tough not saying Leo’s name and knowing a little bit more – that the answer is sometimes no.
RUP
Vues Master’s Note: Very inspiring. Hope we hear only Simchos!
ANSWERS
Dear Vues Master:
Rabbis don’t have all the answers. Moshe Rabbienu was the greatest human being that ever lived. We don’t call him “Moshe the Great,” we call him “Moshe our teacher.” Moshe’s role was to teach the Jewish people the Torah – not have all the answers. Moshe asked Hashem, “Why is there a righteous man enjoying prosperity and a righteous man afflicted with adversity ? Why is there a wicked man enjoying prosperity and a wicked man afflicted with adversity?” Like all who came after him, Moshe was left disappointed with the answers he received. Rabbis are constantly asked why bad things happen to good people. The Holocaust is one of the most perplexing events to ever occur – and there are no explanations. There are mitzvos whose reasoning is clear; honoring parents, not stealing, giving tzedaka, and there are mitzvos that are more challenging to understand; red cow, shatnez, eglah arufah. Rabbis can’t explain all the mitzvot. Many people ask Rabbis how to deal with life situations; Rabbis can advise in certain situations, religious questions, child rearing, where to live, but there are questions Rabbis are unqualified to answer (unless they happen to have training in the area) where to invest, what kind of car to buy, what profession to go into, etc. Rabbis don’t have all the answers. In biblical times a prophet had all the answers. Three times a day in our Shemoneh Esrei we ask Hashem to restore prophecy so we’ll understand that which challenges us today. It’s crucial that Rabbis learn to say “I don’t know,” and just as crucial for Jews to understand that Rabbis don’t have all the answers.
RUP
Master’s Note: What is most crucial is believing our Rabbis when
they say they know they do and who are you to tell them they don’t
know!
CONSPIRACY
Dear Vues Master:
Jews shouldn’t be so quick to jump on the conspiracy theory bandwagon considering the history of conspiracy theories and antisemitism.
LS
Vues Master’s Note:Until we find out that it is the truth and not a conspiracy theory but rather a fact!
KOL NIDREI
Dear Vues Master:
The (ג”כ†םירדנ®†תצבוקמ†הטיש†writes that the origin of the
ירדנ†לכ†goes back to the
הלודגה†תסנכ†ישנא. Of all the Tefilos & Piyutim in the entire Machzor, the most problematic and unclear חסונ†is the ירדנ†לכ. The שובל†suggest that individuals should say his corrected version quietly and not rely on the Chazan’s (Machzor’s) Nusach which has no meaning and is like a bird’s chirping. For some reason, we don’t follow the שובל†and stick to the חסונ†in the רוזחמ†even with all its faults.
FM
Vues Master’s Note: I guess we will have to keep it under consideration till next year Yom Kippur!
PEAS
Dear Vues Master:
Yitzchak and David were high school classmates. One day, they dozed off during shiur. The rebbe told them they needed to be punished. He bought two bags of peas and told each of them to put them in their shoes and walk on them for a week so that they never forget to always remain alert. Three days later, Yitzchak saw David hobbling along on the street, with a painful look on his face. David then said to Yitzchak “How is it that you are walking so easily? Didn’t you follow rebbe’s instruction to put the peas in your shoes?” “I did,” said Yitzchak. “But first I boiled them.”
NB
Vues Master’s Note: Who cooked this story! Which Rebbe would punish kids this way? Oh Peas I mean Please!
THEATER
Dear Vues Master:
When רגיא†אביקע†בר†heard that there were Jews going to the theatre on Friday nights, he said: “ארמגב†וניצמ:
והנינ†לארשי†יבנג†בור. This is rather surprising. What would cause us to think that Jews are םיבנג? Apparently, it is because, as we know, on תבש†ברע†two תרשה†יכאלמ†accompany every Jew. When these Jews go to the theatre on תבש†ברע†and take along the two םיכאלמ†without buying them entrance tickets, םיבנג†טושפ†םה†ירה.”
BN
Vues Master’s Note: These Angels need to act innocent!
CHANUKAH
Dear Vues Master:
1) The only time Rosh Hashana is mentioned in all of ך”נת, is in מ†לאקזחי†But it is on the 10th of Tishrei (כ”וי)
2) The טרתת†ץמוא†ףסוי†and other Poskim write to greet each other on כ”וי†יאצומ†when leaving Shul or arriving home, by saying “GUT YOM TOV” (not Gut Voch)
3) The םהרבא†ןגמ†(O.Ch 625) quotes from the ל”ירהמ, not to fast or say ןונחת†between Yom Kippur and Sukkos, because they are החמש†ימי†We commemorate the חבזמה†תכונח†in the time of Shlomo Hamelech.
JO
Vues Master’s Note: Oy Chanukeh Oy Chanukah we can’t wait to see you!
RIBS
Dear Vues Master:
Ribbed sweaters are all the rage in Boro Park. You know how you make a ribbed sweater? All you need is some fine yarn, some knitting needles and a frog. Your job is to knit the sweater. The frog’s job is to rib it.
PG
Vues Master’s Note: Then my Spare Rib wears it that being my wife!
MARRIAGE
Dear Vues Master:
The word ותחקב†appears twice in ך״נת. Once in תודלות†תשרפ, when it says
הנש≠†םיעברא†≠ןב†קחצי†יהיו
הקבר†≠תא†ותחקב. And once in והימרי, when it says
םיקיזאב†רוסא†אוהו†ותוא†ותחקב, when he was bound in chains. Rav הירא†הדוהי†of Modena was quoted as saying that after a person is םייקמ†the first ותחקב†by marrying, he is automatically bound in chains and is םייקמ†the second ותחקב.
DH
Vues Master’s Note: Yup! They say marriage is an institution! I guess you can’t live with them can’t live without them!
CHASID
Dear Vues Master:
A ספר†named While learning in BMG, R’ Moshe Heinemann (*k) attended a tish of the Satmar Rebbe, for amusement; of course he was repulsed to take םייריש. The SR jokingly told him
טשינ†אמתסמ†טעוו†ריד†ןופ
דיסח†ןייק†ןערעוו.
When R’ Aharon heard about it he exclaimed to RMH
“קידצ†תכרב†א°”.
JI
Vues Master’s Note: I heard that he tried taking Shirayim with a fork and stabbed a bunch of Chassidim in the hand!
TOP 10 PUBLICATIONS
Dear Vues Master:
Jewish Vues [of course number # 1-how else do my letters get printed!?
Hamodia
Yated
Mishpacha
FJJ
The View
Bina
Torah Times
The Link
Jewish Press
RMS!
Vues Master’s Note: It is interesting how many of them are copying us! Imitation is the greatest form of flattery!
POLITICS
Dear Vues Master:
Domestic and international issues exist which need to be confronted in some way. All issues are complex regardless of the specific issue. In recent years, the issue of climate change has been such one. Many politicians like to paint issues like climate issues, as black and white, when in truth, it is gray. The divisions about climate change have resulted from such politicization. If one disagrees with the Biden climate plan as an example, one is then labeled a climate change denier. The artificial divisiveness that politicians have attached to climate change is incredibly pointless and nonsensical. The mainstream global narrative is that climate change is an existential threat that could kill millions of people in a few decades. The same people that call people less educated on climate change “climate deniers”, are the same people supporting these dangerous and unscientific narratives. If one studies economic history and the climate, one could see an impressive correlation. Improving the economy of a nation has historically helped the environment. Over the past 30 years, per capita income has doubled, the number of poor people has dropped from 4/10 to 1/10, an additional 2.6 billion people have access to water, etc. During these same periods, data shows that pollution deaths have decreased by 50%. According to sciencedirect.com as countries get richer, not only does deforestation decrease but even reforestation increases. Furthermore, many scientists have said that increases in the severity of hurricanes are indicators of climate change. Nevertheless both the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and NASA, after studying the data have concluded that “the historical Atlantic hurricane frequency record does not provide compelling evidence for a substantial greenhouse warming-induced long-term increase.” Climate change is real, but not in the way it is portrayed. Rhetoric and solutions in politics don’t correlate with each other. Politicians lie about complicated issues such as climate change to gain more power. It is no coincidence that the way that 100% of world leaders get to “climate change meetings” is on a plane, with a dozen-plus motorcade. As world leaders hold one of their “climate crisis meetings” once again; know it is code for “The Great Reset Meeting”.
Sincerely,
D S G
Vues Master’s Note: Don’t mix me up with Greta! She knows what is
best look she has hoodwinked Obama and Biden and Kerry as they fly with fancy planes to meeting after meeting while making sure we pay triple the price for gas!
UNIFORMS
Dear Vues Master:
School uniforms are not size inclusive. It is extremely difficult to find plus size uniforms. This is incredibly cruel.
PB
Vues Master’s Note: Agreed! This is a travesty!
HALACHA
Dear Vues Master:
In many, if not most yeshiva’s, Halacha is considered a minor Seder. In most elementary schools, the class focuses on Gemara or Chumash and not on Halacha. Many Bachurim these days are clearly lacking in halachic knowledge and it’s a big problem. I believe yeshiva’s should put more focus on Halacha. What does the oilem think?
RJ
Vues Master’s Note: I don’t know what halacha says about learning do we need more Halacha or more Gemara?
Dear Vues Master:
The new facebook, i mean meta will be part of metaverse which will be a virtual reality world. So if you thought people are living in a virtual world now with all the social media and the like, you havent seen nothing yet. Eventually this thing will catch on just like social media, and Zuckerberg’s video presentation seems and sounds like a salesman in a SCI-FI movie trying to get you into the virtual world. How will this impact humanity and what is the point of this? Also he mentioned how we wont need physical screens or any physical objects, are these times of Moshiach? Sounds like a pretty spiritual life outside of physical world
Vues Master’s Note: Is he still banning Trump? Is Election fraud still taboo? Is Anti Vaccines still removed then it is six of onne half a dozen of another.