14 Dec Speak Your Vues

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.

HEARTFELT STORY

Dear Vues Master:

Rav Yoel Gold relates a story. One Friday in

late August, Rabbi Shlomo Adelman sat in his

office, which was unusual. As a high school

principal, this was his busy season. School

was starting the next week, and he had spent

the entire day walking the hallways, running

through administrative procedures, checking

in on teachers, and signing for deliveries. He

had just sat down behind his desk for the first

time in hours when the phone rang. “Is this

the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County?” It

was the voice of a teenage boy, no older than

15. He introduced himself as Daniel and explained

that he had just started tenth grade at

a public school in Queens, but what he really

wanted was to go to Yeshivah. “My mother

can’t afford it,” he said, “but there has to be

a way to work something out, right? There

has to be!” Rabbi Adelman talked to the boy

for a few minutes to gauge his sincerity. For

a young teenager, Daniel showed an unexpected

passion for Yiddishkeit and a maturity

beyond his years. Then he put his mother on

the phone to plead his case. “He’s been talking

about Yeshivah nonstop,” she said helplessly.

“I’m not sure why he wants to go, but I’ve always

stood behind him 100 percent in whatever

he wants to do, and I can’t do it this time.

I just can’t afford private schooling. I can pay

for his transportation from Queens to Uniondale,

but that’s about it.” It wasn’t the first

time Rabbi Adelman had encountered a public

school student considering HANC. HANC’s

parent body runs the gamut from right-wing

Modern Orthodox to irreligious. Since public

school is free, new HANC parents are usually

shocked by the cost of private school tuition.

HANC awards generous scholarships, often

reducing the usual rate by more than half, but

sometimes families are not motivated to pay

thousands of dollars when they can send their

children to public school for free. With 10 to

15 former public school students enrolled in

HANC each year, that’s a budgetary shortfall

that has to be made up somehow. A group of

HANC Rebbeim have dedicated themselves

to doing just that— raising tens of thousands

of dollars each year to keep their students out

of public school. But the money they raise

fills the gaps. They aren’t expected to raise the

entirety of a student’s tuition. And Daniel’s

mother couldn’t pay anything at all. Rabbi

Adelman called one of the fundraising Rebbeim

and related Daniel’s story. “How do you

want to handle this?” The Rebbe said, “Have

the boy call me to explain the situation. I want

to hear it straight from him.” Rabbi Adelman

called Daniel and gave him the Rebbe’s number.

Ten minutes later, his phone rang. “This

kid belongs in Yeshivah,” the Rebbe said. “I

will guarantee that his tuition is raised. Let’s

make it happen.” HANC set Daniel’s tuition

rate. The team of Rebbeim worked tirelessly

to raise the amount needed, and when HANC

opened the following week, Daniel was a student.

Daniel took to Yeshivah like a fish to

water. He was placed in remedial classes and

worked hard to get out of them. By midyear,

due to the devoted Rebbeim of HANC, it was

hard to tell that he had ever been in public

school. Rabbi Adelman and the Rebbeim of

the fundraising team beamed with Nachas as

they watched him thrive. The next summer,

just a few days before Daniel’s first day of

eleventh grade, Rabbi Adelman got a call from

his mother. “Hi, Rabbi Adelman. Thank you

so much for everything you did for Daniel this

past year, but I just want to let you know that it

won’t be necessary anymore.” “Is everything

okay?” Rabbi Adelman asked, expecting the

worst. “Yes, everything’s fine. We’ve found

a sponsor who will pay his tuition!” Rabbi

Adelman almost dropped the phone. The next

day, there was another surprising call from a

well-known Jewish philanthropist, Rabbi Hyman

Arbesfeld. He told Rabbi Adelman that

he planned to pay Daniel’s eleventh grade

tuition, and the next year’s as well, and that

he also wanted to make a significant donation

to the school. “That’s incredible, but

why?” Rabbi Adelman asked. “I’m currently in recovery from open-heart surgery,” Rabbi Arbesfeld said. “A double bypass. When I had the heart attack, I thought I was going to die. I said Viduy. It was terrifying. But with the help of Hashem, the doctors were able to save my life. After a week in the hospital, I was release to recover at home, so I hired a nurse to care for me over the next few weeks. On her first day, we made conversation. She was a single mother with a son going into eleventh grade. The nurse boasted that her son was enrolled in Yeshivah, getting the Jewish education she’d never gotten, and he was loving every minute of it. The school was lovely, very accommodating, and the teachers were amazing, and they had personally raised his tuition. I was stunned. On the spot, I told her, ‘First of all, those Rabbis are never going to pay your son’s tuition again. I will. Second of all, please give me the principal’s phone number. I’d like to speak with him.’” Rabbi Adelman was momentarily speechless. When he regained his voice, he asked, “I know you’re a Ba’al Tzedakah, but what was it about this story that made you take action like that?” Rabbi Arbesfeld grew somber. He said, “Several years ago, my sister Shirley was terminally ill. She knew she was dying. Throughout her life she had been passionate about Kiruv, but she felt strongly that campus outreach and adult programs were too little, and too late. Since she never married and had no children, she appointed me the executor of her estate, and asked me to ensure that the bulk of her money would go to organizations that promote Kiruv among school-age children. I did some research but never found a place like that, until I had the heart attack. I was literally minutes from death. Hashem gave me a new lease on life, and the first person I saw after surgery, besides my family, was this woman whose son was seeking a Jewish education. It’s like I was brought back from death to help him!”

REF

Vues Master’s Note:IWow! I got no funny remarks here. What an inspiring story! Thanks for sharing!

NEAR AND FAR

Dear Vues Master:

In the Gemara there is a תקולחמ†concerning the קוספ†in רתסא†תליגמ†which says

הנידמ†האמו†≠†םירשעו†עבש†שוכ†≠†דעו†ודוהמ†ךלומÆThe תקולחמ†is whether ודוה†and שוכ†were far from each other or were close by. ץישבייא†ןתנוי†׳ר†asked: according to the view that they were near each other, how could there have been 127 תונידמ? He answered: among Jews it’s possible. We call a ןיליפת†box a תיב; a place in the שרדמ†תיב†is called an ריע; a burial plot is called a עקרק. Thus, even with ודוה†and שוכ†near each other, they could encompass 127 תונידמ.

MB

Vues Master’s Note: I daven Ashkenaz so first come kush the tzitzis after Boruch Sheamar then Hodu.

SWEARING

Dear Vues Master:

The Zohar in Parshas יחיו†writes that “ םילשורי†תונב” refers to the המשנ. The Gemara (Kesubos 111a) says on this Pasuk in םירישה†ריש†Hashem made 3 תועובש. 2 with the Bnei Yisroel and 1 with the Goyim.

1) They should not go up (to E. Yisroel) together by force (like a wall)

2) They should not rebel against the Goyim

3) The Goyim should not oppress the Yidden, harshly.

The השמ†לאויו†claims that the תועובש’ג†are השעמל†הכלה†& applicable today. The reason we don’t find any mention of the תועובש†’ג†in the Poskim (of the past) is that being since the time of אבכוכ†רב, until today (Zionism) it was unlikely for anybody to even think of rebelling against the Goyim. For a highly unusual situation, there is no need to mention such a Halacha.

Many Poskim even though they opposed Zionism argue on the לאויו†השמ†and hold that since the ע”וש†¨רוט¨†ש”אר¨†ם”במר†¨ף”יר†& the םינושאר†on the Gemoro the יריאמ†א”בטיר†¨ן”במר†all of them fall to mention any such Halacha of תועובש†’ג. it must be that there is no such Halacha.

The concept of the תועובש†’ג†is an הדגא†& not השעמל†הכלה. Historically, we don’t find לארשי†ללכ†ever accepting such a העובש. and they won’t be punished even if they were רבוע†on them. ד”נת†’ב†רזנ†ינבא†ת”וש

MF

Vues Master’s Note:So Zionism is OK?

STINGY

Dear Vues Master:

Rav Zvi Hirsch was once informed that one of his community members had eaten a stuffed hen on a תינעת†רוביצ. The Rav said that this is a Jew who strives to do תווצמ. The community members were stunned. What was the בר†talking about? The Rav explained: “On a תינעת, we are commanded םכיתושפנ†תא†םתיניעו. That’s what this man was doing. He is an extreme tightwad. No one is more miserly than him. All year, he starves himself so as not to spend a penny more than absolutely necessary. So how is he to fulfill the הוצמ†of םתיניעו†םכיתושפנ†תא? He does it by eating an expensive stuffed hen.” A community member asked the Rav, if so, let him also drink a bottle of fine, expensive wine with his meal? The Rav responded: ושפנ†תא†רוסמל†לבא†ªבייח†אוה†תונעתהל

בייח†אוה†ןיא.”

BM

Vues Master’s Note:I think he did not drink as he thought if he got drunk he might part with some money!

GENERATIONS

Dear Vues Master:

In this week’s Parsha we find Yakov Bentching his two grandsons Where in the Parsha do we also find Yakov Bentching his great grandchildren? The שרדמ†says that “ערפיטופ†תב†תנסא†was Dina & Shchem’s daughter. She was transported to םירצמ†by לאכימ†ךאלמ

השנמו†םירפאÆ”†were Yakov’s grand-sons (Yosef’s son) and also his great grand-sons (Dina’s Grandsons)

KF

Vues Master’s Note:May we all be zocheh to bless our great grandchildren. If you will do so you will be a “great” great grandfather!

POLITICS

Dear Vues Master:

During times of a tragedy with a faceless villain, the normal response is sympathy. Any leader which uses the tragedy to further a partisan agenda is a political hack and a horrible person. Advocating for a political position is not the issue, rather the issue is solely

painting a tragedy as an effect of those that oppose one’s political views.

A few days ago, the states of Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee were hit by a horrendous tornado that killed dozens of people. The political relevancy of a tornado is nonexistent, but that hasn’t stopped ruthless Democrats from politicizing a tragedy with a faceless villain. Joe Biden attributed the loss of life to climate change pointing to the major tornado as a validation to his political belief. This is despite the lack of evidence that there has been an increase in extreme weather. A 2013 Nature magazine concluded the opposite. Joe Biden’s political moment during a tragedy is not a blunder, it is purposeful. Joe Biden and his fellow Democrats care about life providing it gets them more votes. If politicizing a tragedy or importing illegal immigrants by the millions will get them more votes, they will do so. Joe Biden doesn’t care about the issues he talks about, instead, he cares about the ensuing result that will occur as a result of his incompetence. When political columns are discussing a tragic tornado instead of actual politics, you know that’s just the beginning of the ensuing craziness!

Sincerely,

DSG

Vues Master’s Note:Welcome back! We missed your letters. Don’t worry we will have another million voters in NYC even those illegal ones mowing down our innocent campers coming home from a reunion!

APOLOGY NEEDED

Dear Vues Master:

I was very disturbed by a comment made by the Vues Master in a letter from RMS describing “What took place at the Ahuvah Convention”. I’m

sure some people couldn’t attend in person and get an idea of what took place. Being that the Vues Master is part of the staff didn’t you have a preview of this long letter and yet found it fit to print?

Once again I find myself asking “How could you make a comment claiming the letter from RMS caused you to fall asleep”? Therefore embarrassing RMS in public perhaps an apology is necessary in public thank you

Devora Leitner

Vues Master’s Note: Do you know RMS? If the Vues Master was honest and fell asleep at least he did not lie about it!

REFORM

Dear Vues Master:

R’ רפוס†השמ, the רפוס†םתח, referring to a reform rabbi, said: “The הרות†tells us about וניבא†בקעי†that שיא†קבאיו†ומע. There is a תקולחמ†as to whether ול†המדנ†יוגכ†or ול†המדנ†םכח†דימלתכ. I never understood how one שיא†could be perceived by some as a םכח†דימלת†and by others as a יוג. But then, when I saw this ‘rabbi’ in his battle against לארשי†and its הרוסמ, I realized that he may appear as a םכח†דימלת†to his colleagues, but we know that he is a

רבד†לכל†יוג.”

JU

Vues Master’s Note: Need to fight that faction!

HELLO MOMMA HELLO PAPA

Dear Vues Master:

On Rosh Chodesh Adar, when he was just a little boy, ץישבייא†ןתנוי†בר†came home from Cheder and loudly sang החמשב†םיברמ†רדא†סנכנשמ. He accompanied his song with banging of pot covers. Eventually, the racket annoyed his mother, but he didn’t stop until his father walked in. When his mother asked the young but even then brilliant Yonasan, why did you stop when your father walked in but didn’t stop when you saw that it annoyed me, he answered: רדא†סנכנשמ†החמשב†ןיטאמ†בא†סנכנשמ†ªהחמשב†םיברמ.

JK

Vues Master’s Note: This letter sounds like it is drumming to its own beat. I guess momma did not feel it was music to her ears.

LEADER

Dear Vues Master:

Rosh Hashanah 17a: Rav Yehuda said that Rav said: Any community leader who casts excessive fear on the community, not for the sake of Heaven, will be punished and not see any Torah scholar among his sons, as it is stated: “Men do therefore fear him; he sees not any who are wise of heart” (Job 37:24).

Taanis 24a: Rav Ashi said to Rabbi Yosei bar Avin, “And what is the reason that the Master (you) left him (your teacher) and came here?” He said to him, “He (R’ Yose of Yukras) is a man who has no mercy on his own son, and no mercy on his daughter. How, then, could he have mercy on me (his student)?”

Because R’ Yose of Yukras’ standards were so terribly strict, R’ Yose bar Avin was afraid to remain his student and left him for Rav Ashi.

Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky was a teacher par excellence and he was a wonderful father to his children who are all refine and nice people who bring truth and peace to the world. An important criteria to look for in a teacher is how they care for their children. Even G-d doesn’t trust anyone to have mercy and to sit on the Sanhedrin unless they have children.

DG

Vues Master’s Note: Oh! Have mercy on me. Too scary here!

DRESS

R’ Pinchus of Frankfurt, the לעב

האלפה, lived very simply and fru gally at home. Went he went out, however, he dressed in the finest clothes and lodged in expensive hotels. When asked to explain, he said: “As you know, סחנפ†תשרפ†תבש† falls each year םירצמה†ןיב, between העבש†זומתב†רשע†and באב†העשת† . We also read סחנפ†תשרפ†as םידעומו†םיגח†לש†ריטפמ . This teaches that when סחנפ† is in his place he’s םירצמה†ןיב¨† but when he’s out he is

גח†לש†ריטפמ , as befitting the Chief Rabbi of Frankfurt.”

RA

Vues Master’s Note: Do the clothing make the man? Or the man makes the clothing? Or does clothing not matter?

BATHROOM

Dear Vues Master:

There is no excuse for a teacher not to allow a student to use the

bathroom. It is absolute torture. Not to mention the humiliation if

the student loses control of their body.

RF

Vues Master’s Note: Unless the kid just went to the bathroom a minute

ago and has a huge smirk on the face. Teachers and Rebbeim are always

second guessed!

MASKS

Dear Vues Master:

Recently, I received an email from a friend who is deaf. She explained how difficult mask mandates have been for her. When she goes to a grocery store, she has to hold a sign or pass a note to the store workers saying, “I am deaf, but I lip read very well. Please remove

your mask so that I can understand you.” She says that many people are afraid to remove their mask, and instead write their answers to her. She finds this scenario extremely frustrating, as it takes far longer to write the answer, and it is unnecessary to behave this way. I have heard similar stories from school students who cannot understand professors or classmates when they won’t remove their masks.

Years ago, when my deaf son was in high school, he had tremendous difficulty understanding his rebbe. At one meeting with the rebbe, he asked me how he could help my son in class. I responded, “Perhaps, start by trimming or shaving your beard and mustache.” I find it bewildering that even after this fairly simple request, not one reb be cooperated. Halacha does not require a rebbe to have a beard. But, the Torah does make an explicit statement not to insult the deaf.

I request your readers and their friends and contacts – please think about and be sensitive to someone else’s needs. Please remove your mask when speaking to a deaf or hearing-impaired person. You can stand six feet away and have your conversation with your mask off, and still be safe. During the short time that you converse, you are at minimal or no danger with your mask off. You will make a deaf person’s life much easier by making this small adjustment to your mask routine.

To all the rebbes, and others who may have a deaf or hearing-impaired students, I urge you to make some small accommodation in your beardly appearance. A deaf student has as much of a right to understand your Torah words as a hearing person. Clear the hair away from your mouth for a deaf or hearing-impaired person. You’ll make a far better and more meaningful impression this way than you would by adhering to a long-held minhag.

DF

Vues Master’s Note: I could not agree with you any more than I do. Just remember the smile of approval your Rebbe gave you or your teacher showed you. These days kids do not get the passuk of “Uleven Shinayim” We need more teeth showing encouragement!

DRAFT

Dear Vues Master:

In the times of the Chasam Sofer, Governments imposed quotas on the community to supply them young men for the military. It was the community’s responsibility to supply a set amount of young men to the draft.

The selection of who to or not to be drafted were in the hands of the community leaders.

Officially they would enter all the names in a לרוג†(lottery) and pull out the lucky ones who would be exempt.

Historically there was a lot of corruption in the selection process. Terrible injustices were done against the poor and the defense less. The Chasam Sofer (Shu”t 6:29) writes that many לארשי†ילודג† had no choice in the matter and had to keep their eyes closed.

The Chasam Sofer rules “ Since the law of the land is for the community to supply the army with young men. we have the rule of אניד†אתוכלמד†אנידÆ Halachically, everybody is equally responsible to serve. We may not give favoritism to some over others.Even

the lowlifes and non-Frum Mechallei Shabbos etc.must be treated equally and their names entered in the לרוג.

Those who send the secular Yidden to the army by not placing them in the lottery and giving them a fair chance are ורכמו†שפנ†יבנוג† (kidnappers)

The only exception, are the Yeshiva Bachurim. Since they are exempt ןידמ†הרות†from serving in the army (based on the Gemoro Bava Basra 8a.) therefore even if there is no specific exemption from the government we exempt them automatically”.

The Chazon Ish (Bava Basra 7b*) writes that the exemption of ןנבר† (Yeshiva Bachurim) is only applicable when there are others available to serve. If however, all are ןנבר†then

the rule of סנה†לע†ןיכמוס†ןיא†applies and even Yeshiva Bachurim need to be drafted.

YV

Vues Master’s Note: Let us join in the army of Hashem!

RESPONSE

Dear Vues Master:

I was taken aback by your cute comment after my letter last week. Although, I always enjoy your comments, this time was different. When we are writing about Daas Torah from Rav Elya Brudny shlita and Rav Ehfraim Wachsman shlita besides R’ Chaim Dovid Zwiebel and Rav Miller from Gateshead,who are all addressing serious issues in Klal Yisroel, that is not the time to joke about it! Thank you for your understanding.

RMS

Vues Master’s Note: Again there is a time and place for everything. I was not making fun of the gedolim but rather the overload that goes on at conventions where people go there and figure all of Klal Yisroel’s problems will be solved there. If you don’t go you are part of the problem! Not everyone needs to hear or go to look for problems!