13 Apr 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.
AIRLINES
Dear Vues Master: I’m sick of all these airlines picking on Jews because they are not wearing masks. I was on the Spirit flight on Monday coming back from Florida & what they did was definitely anti-semitism. The reason why the child was not wearing a mask was 100% because he was special needs. Hashem please help us!!!
AN
Vues Master’s Note: There are always two sides to the story but this one definitely does not look good for Spirit!
CONCERT REVISITED
Dear Vues Master: The Shwekey/Avraham Fried free concert over Chol Hamoed for the Matzoh Fund was the highlight of my Yom Tov. I’m so glad that the Matzoh Fund did it & made it free for everyone!!
DM
Vues Master’s Note: Let’s not forget to send donations to the Matzah Fund. We hope to do this again.
ORLANDO
Dear Vues Master: Is it just me or did it seem that Flatbush & Boro Park all packed out this year for Pesach to Orlando?
KF
Vues Master’s Note: It is called Galus Orlando!
PESACH EDITION
Dear Vues Master: My family LOVED your special Pesach edition. All the articles were great. We love the fun questions & even loved the new Mishpacha Feud! Keep up the good work!!
EF
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks for the feedback. It is nice to see our hard work pays off.
TRAFFIC
Dear Vues Master: The traffic is back!!!! I was complaining so much about covid over the last year but now the traffic is crazy. It took me yesterday over an hour and a half to get from Boro Park to the Five Towns.
AH
Vues Master’s Note: Be careful what you wish for. That is the phrase which we have seen how true it is!
PIG
Dear Vues Master: The Rav told him to eat the Pig and not the Glatt Kosher Beef. A חולה who has to eat חלב (fats) if he has a choice may only eat the חלב from a non-kosher animal. 1) The איסור חלב is a חיוב כרת whereas בהמה טמאה is only a לאו (no 2 ) כרת ) There is no איסור חלב on non-kosher animals.
MF
Vues Master’s Note: I guess you give meaning to the word “A kosher Chazer fisel” Sometimes the pig is kosher!
CHALLENGES
Dear Vues Master: Cool phrase : “If you don’t trample on your challenges, your challenges may end up trampling you.”
Vues Master’s Note: I just got trampled! What do I do?
GRANDMA
Dear Vues Master: I wanted to share a joke. “Shout out to my grandmother! Otherwise, she won’t be able to hear you.”
Vues Master’s Note: What! I can’t hear you. Please don’t make fun of my age. Age is just a number.
BORDER
Dear Vues Master: How crazy is this? “Right now, the easiest way to get into the US is to illegally cross the US-Mexican border!”
TC
Vues Master’s Note: Well according to Biden and Harris there is no crisis at the border but if there is one it is Trump’s fault for building a wall. Awesome logic!
TRY TRY
Dear Vues Master: To ‘try and fail’ is okay, as long as you’re not trying to fail, or failing to try.
ML
Vues Master’s Note: This has been tried before and I fail to see it!
HAPPIEST
Dear Vues Master: Who was Happiest Person In The World The Midrash Tanchuma (Parshas Shmini) says: “We don’t find any man or woman as happy as Elishava Bas Aminadav. Her husband Ahron was the Kohen Gadol and a Navi. Her brother in law Moshe was king and a Navi. Her sons were Seganei Kehunei. Her brother Nachshon was the head of all the Nesieim. (Midrash Rabah adds her grandson Pinchas, was the Mashiach Milchama) This only lasted until she lost her two sons. (Nadav Avihu) Therefore the Pasuk says אמרתי להוללים אל תהלו and Shlomo said לשחוק אמרתי מהולל
MF
Vues Master’s Note: Never lose your happiness. It is hard to find it!
MONEY
Dear Vues Master: “Money isn’t everything. There is also gold, silver, stocks, bonds and other securities.” LG Vues Master’s Note: I still think cash is king. “Baal HaMeah is Baal Hadeah!” LIFE Dear Vues Master: A רב once asked one of his מתפללים if he believes in תחיית המתים . “Absolutely,” the man replied. “After my wife died, I began living.”
JD
Vues Master’s Note: I disagree a good wife is equals to a good life. Says the single guy who was never married!
AM HAARETZ
Dear Vues Master: On the שבת after פסח , the גבאי asked one of the מתפללים to go up for .מפטיר The Shul President, who was an עם הארץ , banged on the בימה in protest. When asked what’s going on, he said “It’s expressly written: אין מפטירין אחר ”.הפסח
GB
Vues Master’s Note: Oh wow my shul also has a gabbai an am haaretz. It must be a pre qualifier for the job of a gabbai.
FOOLISH QUESTIONS
Dear Vues Master: A Jew was driving a רב nuts with one foolish question after another. The רב opened a Shulchan Aruch and began reviewing it. That did the trick. Within moments, the Jew left. The רב explained to a student who was with him: “This proves the teaching of חז״ל : that הנפטר ”.מחברו אל יפטר אלא מתוך דבר הלכה RN Vues Master’s Note: What about foolish letters, what do we do about that?
MISSING TITLE
Dear Vues Master: You forgot to title the picture on the top left of page 40, it is a picture of Dovid Pearlman with the Miami Boys Choir, at the Cure Arena.
BW
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks for pointing it out. Now everyone will know!
SMOKING
Dear Vues Master: I think we should all support a ban on smoking. Not on tobacco, or marijuana, or on whatever substance people want to put in their pipes or cigars, but on the act of smoking itself. Whatever drugs people want to put in your body, they should leave everyone else out of it instead of assaulting their lungs with the toxic smoke.
HS
Vues Master’s Note: Sounds like Bill Clinton who said “I did not inhale”
BICYCLE
Dear Vues Master: People who drive cars have such an entitled attitude. The entire road is given to them, yet when people ask for a tiny bit of a bike lane, they cry about how it will affect their driving. They also complain when people ride their bikes on the road.
BJ
Vues Master’s Note: Especially when the cyclists don’t follow traffic rules and expect the cars to see them.
AIRLINES
Dear Vues Master: Felder, Schumer: USDOT to Investigate Airline Hate Senator Simcha Felder demanded a federal investigation into the anti-Semitic incident on Frontier Airlines flight 2878 after crewmembers verbally disparaged and unfairly removed a Jewish family from their flight. After speaking personally with the victim, Senator Felder contacted US Senator Charles Schumer and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, to enlist their help. “We will not allow hate, intolerance or anti-Semitism to motivate gross violations of anti-discrimination laws,” said Senator Felder. “This incident, and all others like it, must be investigated immediately and airlines held accountable if their staff removed innocent passengers from their flights.” Recently, a number of similarly disturbing incidents have been reported. “We want you to know that if you experienced bias or mistreatment on any airline there is something you can do, and we are here to help. To launch a full investigation, victims should file an official complaint with the US Department of Transportation online and then share a copy with my office. Together with Senator Schumer, we will work to assure that airlines are fairly enforcing the rules and respecting the rights of all their passengers,” said Senator Felder https://airconsumer.dot.gov/escomplaint/ ConsumerForm.cfm
ST
Vues Master’s Note: It seems like the cat is out of the bag. This is going on for too long!
WEARING TEFFILIN ON CHOL HAMOED
Dear Editor: I have a problem. My Father in Law keeps on calling me a goy because I wear tefillin on Chol Hamoed. I saw in an article that the mesorah is not to wear tefillin on Chol Hamoed. I looked in the Rashi in Sukka and it seems that he wore tefillin on Chol Hamoed. The Rema wore tefillin on Chol Hamed. I am not sure if they had a mesorah? Or are they doing a goyishe Mesora?
Perplexed in Flatbush
Editor’s Note: I would like to know which Goy puts on tefillin period?
YOM HAZIKARON
Dear Editor: Israelis and Zionists around the world will mark Yom HaZikaron this year starting on April 14th. Yom HaZikaron LeHalalei Ma’arakhot Israel ul’Nifge’ei Pe’ulot HaEivah, literally: Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism is Israel’s Memorial Day, and it is not celebrated with barbecues, but with tears of ultimate grief. And as so many Israelis mourn for their precious fallen fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, and friends and comrades, it is not the same for Jews outside of Israel. We may all mourn together on Tisha B’Av and at Yizkor on Yom Kippur but, tragically, it is not the same observing Yom HaZikaron inside the Jewish State as it is anywhere else. It is our task in the Diaspora to bridge the miles and other differences and mourn along with our fellow Jews in Israel. One book to read that may assist you to feel the depth of the loss that so many Israelis feel on Yom HaZikaron is Letters to Talia. Even though the words in Letters to Talia were penned decades ago, starting in 1971, it is a must read human document. The Hebrew edition of the book was originally published in 2005 and became hugely popular, but somehow the book never achieved the status it so richly deserves outside of Israel. Letters to Talia are eerily reminiscent of Self-Portrait of a Hero: From the Letters of Jonathan Netanyahu 1963–1976. Both reveal the tragic loss that Israel has suffered by sacrificing its best and brightest on the fields of battle for generations: nearly 24,000 soldiers will be remembered on Yom Hazikaron this year. Letters to Talia is a collection of correspondence between a kibbutz born secular Israeli high school girl and a religious Israeli soldier named Dov Indig, one of Israel’s fallen heroes. Indig fell in combat in the Yom Kippur War on October 7, 1973, 11 Tishrei 5734, fighting the Syrian army on the Golan Heights. Indig was a dedicated yeshiva student and part of the Religious Zionist movement. Dov attended the Hesder yeshiva program at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh, near Ashdod, in which soldiers combine Israel’s requirement for military service with advanced yeshiva based Talmud / Torah study. Kerem B’Yavneh was the first Hesder program, today there are nearly 70 such yeshivot. In early October 2012, a book release event was held in the Knesset for the English edition and Prime Minister Netanyahu and other notables attended. Hagi Ben-Artzi, Sara Netanyahu’s brother, edited the book and figures prominently in numerous letters from both writers. Many of the letters center around Talia’s desire to put the Jewish religion in proper context in her life as a modern, thinking young woman and Dov’s answers to her questions plus descriptions of his army experiences. What makes the book so moving is not just the emotion that each writer attaches to their search for truth but the commitment they demonstrate to the Jewish People, their love of the Land of Israel, and their faith in the State of Israel. The topics tackled encompass an entire range of issues from a then potential Israeli surrender of Sinai to women’s rights and from Israeli emigration to the Diaspora to a critique of Western culture. The lands liberated in 1967 feature prominently in the book. Deeply moving trips to these areas are discussed. The reader is left to ponder how these young developed such a profound closeness to these regions so quickly and will gain a better understanding of the pain these withdrawals have caused many Israelis. Subjects such as religious coercion and the importance of Israeli settlements are discussed at length. The depiction of their visits to Sinai are vivid and leave the reader with a better sense of what Israel lost when this vast area was surHere are a few random quotes that give a sense of the patriotism of these young Israelis: Dov: I am happy to hear from you that most of the kids hold that it is forbidden to give up Sinai and it is forbidden to be tempted by the promises of the Arabs, who until today have broken all of them. Talia: I really envy you that you were in the Golan Heights. I love hiking there more than anywhere else in Israel. Dov: How fortunate we are that we are privileged to be soldiers in the IDF [Israel Defense Forces], which defends the lives of Jews in Israel and throughout the world. Talia: We thought that our amazing victory in the Six-Day War would put an end to wars, and that the Arabs would resign themselves to our existence, but it turns out that we made a mistake. Read the book for yourself, you will be moved by the experience. Grow close to Israel and thank G-d for the blessing of Israeli soldiers.
MP
Editor’s Note: We need to show Hakoras Hatova to all Soldiers!
EMUNAH AND BITACHON
Dear Editor: בטחון is based on ! אמונה אמונה is based on דעת ! The knowledge that ה’ exists. That we are totally convinced that ה’ has השגחה פרטית ! This is what we believe or rather know when we say, we have ! אמונה Hashem is involved in every situation ! The חזון איש says that people think בטחון means that when a person goes into the hospital he has בטחון that he’ll come out. That is not בטחון , it is hopeful thinking! בטחון means that I hope ה’ hears my Prayers and heals me. But whatever He does I accept. I know that I’m in His hands and that gives me ! מנוחת הנפש This Concept put into Rhyme By D L We Jews live with Emuna, and Bitachon, too; So I want to share something with you. Rav Shimon Schwab gave a talk, in the summer of 1994; On the topic of Emuna & Bitachon, explaining it more. Emuna is not abstract, some kind of blind belief; It’s based on clear knowledge that Hashem is the world’s Chief. Hashgacha Pratis, Hashem is involved in every situation; We totally trust Him in all matters, of ongoing creation. Based on that foundation, Bitachon, faith in Hashem is grounded; Confident that all is for the best, despair & panic is unfounded. To explain with a Moshol, with which we can all relate; About an employer & his worker, whose payments are up to date. The employer always pays, his worker with cold cash; Yet when the worker gets a check instead, his teeth do not gnash. Just as cash has been time-honored, ‘cause it’s treasured & has value; He’s confident that the check is no different, it’s just as good, too. So we trust that Hashem is in control, has been & always will; Even turmoil for the world is certainly the best, still. We must go on serving Hashem, with our daily responsibility; Torah Study, Prayer & Kindness, with calmness and tranquility. Hashem provides the best for all of us, of that there is no dispute; Only Hashem controls our destiny, His love for us is absolute.
RDL
Editor’s Note: I believe in this Poe! Great Poem!
POLICING
Dear Editor Are Simpler Weddings Something That Should Stay After The COVID-19 Pandemic Ends? Although it’s odd to see such small weddings, I must admit they are exceedingly joyful. Everyone attending is someone who truly loves the couple and wants to be there. The joy is truly palpable.
Yonkee from Flatbush
Editor’s Note: It might be a dream. But I think we will wake up from this dream.
GREETING
Dear Editor: Why, when someone greets his friend with “Shalom Aleichem,” does the friend respond “Aleichem Shalom”? Why not respond “Shalom Aleichem”? The explanation in the Sefer Ta’amei Minhagim is as follows: The Gemara says when a person makes a neder he should say “Neder L’Hashem.” He should not say “L’Hashem Neder” because maybe when he says L’Hashem, he will die, chalila, and he will have said the Shem l’vatalah. Also when a person returns a greeting, if he would say “Shalom Aleichem” and then die chalila after saying just the word “Shalom,” he will have said the Name of Hashem l’vatalah (since Shalom is one of the name of Hashem). When, however, someone greets his friend first by saying “Shalom Aleichem” we are not worried that he will die after saying “Shalom,” because the Gemara in Berachos says, “If one is first to greet his friend, it is added to him (mosifin lo chaim v’shalom) life and peace. Perhaps, as we emerge from this pandemic and seek ways to improve, we should work on being first to greet others. For those who find it difficult, they can do this within their home and among family members with a cheerful “Good Morning” or “Good Night.”
Sincerely, The Good Morning Campaign
Editor’s Note: I started reading this in the morning but by the time I finished I had to tell someone Good Afternoon.
OPENING A CAN OF?
Dear Editor: I recently read on Yehupetz.com that it is muttar to open soda bottles on Shabbos if one throws away the cap. I had never heard of this. Is this accurate, and if so, why was I not taught this in school?
SK
Editor’s Note: Maybe you went to the other school that does not teach this. There are many different groups in klal YIsroel some open bottles some don’t.
LANGUAGES
Dear Editor: Preschools and elementary schools in the United States should teach the children Spanish. Learning multiple languages from a young age helps the brain adapt to even more languages, and Spanish is a good bridge to French, Italian, and Portuguese, as well as being very helpful in allowing its speakers to communicate with Mexicans and other Spanish speaking Latin Americans. This is especially important for the Jewish people, who throughout our history have had to move from country to country. Being able to learn to speak a new language fluently is a gift that you can and should give your children.
S O
Editor’s Note: You remind me of the line, a person who speaks three languages is from the Middle East. A person who speaks two languages is European. A person who only speaks one language is American!