08 Jun Speak Your Vues
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.
TECHELES
Dear Vues Master:
We loved the article on Techeles last week but I wanted to bring to your attention that Rabbi Benzion Halberstam better known as the Bobover Rebbe does not wear techeles. His cousin who lives in Flatbush does. In other words you have the wrong picture in your paper.
AH
Vues Master’s Note:Yes we received a lot of calls and letters. We did make a couple of mistakes in the pictures. We apologize for them and we are glad that it was brought to our attention. There were two mistakes that have come to our attention. On the “Notable Wearers of Techeles” page its says that Rabbi Bentzion Halberstam wears techeles. The picture was of the Bobover rebbie. It was supposed to be Rabbi Ben Zion Aryeh Leibish Halberstam. Rabbi Bentzion Avraham Yaakov Halberstam serves Kehal Chassidim in Westgate, Lakewood, NJ, and is a Posek in his own right. Also the picture of Rabbi Karp was wrong. Rabbi Karp does wear Techeles but the picture was wrong. That was not Rabbi Karp but rather Rabbi Gershon Bess. We are sorry for these mistakes.
NETANYAHU
Dear Vues Master:
I’m a Prime Minister Netanyahu admirer. This doesn’t mean I voted for him or want him to continue as Prime Minister. Admiring a nation’s leader means you recognize the good things they’ve done as the leader of the nation. The list of Netanyahu’s achievements as Prime Minister and the success Israel achieved under his reign are worthy of every Israeli’s gratitude. As Prime Minister, Netanyahu led Israel to economic growth, raised security from Palestinian terrorism, no wars, and limited but effective operations with minimal Israeli casualties against Hamas rockets. The massive Hamas operation to protest on Israel’s border failed. In 25 years of trying, Iran hasn’t developed a nuclear weapon due to Israeli sabotage. When Netanyahu looked liked he mismanaged the US-Israel relationship under President Obama, he was actually successfully installing Obama’s many dangerous demands from Israel. He made it up under President Trump with unprecedented gains in all areas from America. His crowning achievements were the Abraham Accords, where Arab countries normalized relations with Israel and his handling of COVID, without a doubt, the best in the world. Of course, no leader is perfect and there have been disappointments as well under his leadership. Gaza and its rocket fire is a recurring issue for the people in the Gaza envelope, American left wing Jews and Democrats feel alienated from Israel, he was unable to stop the Iran deal and he lost an opportunity to extend Israel’s sovereignty to Judea and Samaria. It would be a shame if Netanyahu tarnished his reputation at the end of his tenure by undermining Israel’s democratic institutions. He has an Uber-loyal fan base that trusts him implicitly. If Netanyahu calls the elections, the government, or any ministries corrupt or illegitimate, his followers will believe him and Israeli confidence in government institutions will be diminished undeservedly. Netanyahu must learn to lose with dignity. He will forever be the longest serving Prime Minister in Israel’s history. If he were to ask me for my advice, I’d tell him to retire from politics, go on speaking tours and writes books to solidify his legacy. If he stays in politics I hope he remembers that leading the opposition is different from undermining the government.
RUP
Vues Master’s Note: I say he should not give up. Left is Left and right is right and they should not mix. We are in for a lot of trouble with this new government.
FOR YOUR SAFETY
Dear Vues Master:
Public safety and health crises provide sentiments of protecting others. Despite the commendable nature of such motives, the excuse of protection is generally taken advantage of. Individually, people absorbing all the available information on the impending situation is most likely the best way to protect that person. While those precautions might be beneficial for him/her, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will help someone else. If someone living in a flood zone for example, before a hurricane decided to evacuate, for someone living in a hilly area to make the same decision would on the surface not be logical. Of course, they ultimately could come to the same conclusion, but they got there from their independent, unconnected situations. Having a hierarchy over responses to natural disasters or health crises can have its benefits, but perhaps arbitrary guidelines could outweigh those benefits. As Covid effectively concludes, many schools continue to enforce Covid policies. The excuse to legitimize the continuance of masking, social distancing, and other Covid era policies is “for your safety”. Many schools and organizations continue to lie that they are “protecting” those unvaccinated. This is irrespective if a majority of vulnerable staff or workers were vaccinated or those unvaccinated are not remotely vulnerable. For children forced to comply with nonsensical guidelines is not “following the science”. In addition, studies conducted by studyfinds.org have also concluded that those under the age of 20 have a 50% less likelihood of getting Covid, less chance of passing Covid, and for sure, having very mild symptoms if they get it at all. It is also false to state that people still have to wear masks to protect those unvaccinated. The CDC two months ago concluded in a study that the rates for transmission rates from vaccinated to unvaccinated or vice versa are effectively none. Besides the fact, studies like rcreader.com have concluded cloth masks are inefficient, and the fact that medrxic.com found that mask-wearing in schools did not correlate with Covid transmission rates. At the same time, the original intentions of such guide makers were likely good, but for one to continue to enforce Covid era policies with the excuse that it is “for your safety” especially now, is ludicrous. If society can’t trust the vast majority of people to choose the right thing for their particular situation, why stop here? Should there be guidelines for when people have the right to go to a store, movie, or even to leave their house? I mean, all one has to say is, “it’s for your safety”. If this is the new threshold of enforcing policy, society has much more trouble than ongoing and unrelated Covid guidelines. If we want a chance to continue being a free society, then the threshold of liberties and rights needs to be taken back by the people.
Sincerely, D S G Vues Master’s Note: I say go out and listen to Whatsapp no more Drs. There are so many conspiracy theories here. We should go with your personal physician and that is all.!
SHALOM BAYIS
Dear Vues Master:
Love many of the articles and weekly contributors to the paper. I have a question. In the June 1st issue, did one of the columnists suggest that it would not be proper for a wife, or rather unwise for her to expect her husband to go Shopping at ShopRite for the family while he is upstate for just a short weekend. That was a real red flag comment. Probably needs some clarification
M G
Vues Master’s Note: Depends if the wife is working upstate or not. Is the husband resentful or does he need to go shopping as he wants to kill time. To each their own but one thing is for sure that if the wife is lounging in the pool the entire week and just chilling and her husband comes up Friday noon and leaves Sunday afternoon it would make sense that he should not be the one shopping!
HIGH
Dear Vues Master: Apparently anyone who wants to can set off fireworks in NYC at any time. The NYPD is chill that way; a little marijuana or some ornamental explosives is fine by them.
SD
Vues Master’s Note: I believe if you share the fun with the NYPD they don’t care they can only lose by interfering as the climate in the street is the mob rules!
NAME TRIVIA
Dear Vues Master:
?עדוי ימ השש 1) The stepfather of יזנקה הנפי ןב בלכ was זנק* 2) הנופי ןב בלכ was also named דרמ ** 3) הנופי ןב בלכ had a son named דרמ ** 4) הנופי ןב בלכ had a son (& wife) named םירמ ** 5) הנופי ןב בלכ had 4 wives, a) םירמ b) ל-אללה-י c) ה-ידהי-ה d)הערפ תב היתב** 6) בלכ’s wife name was Bityah or Bisyah and not Batyah or Basyah** * see Rashi Sotah 11b & 12a The Minchas Yitzchak 6:151 writes, “An adoptive child may call him/herself the child of the adoptive parent, However, they should add on to the הבותכ etc. the word ‘ירקתמד so no לושכמ will happen. That’s the reason בלכ was called יזנקה & not זנק ןב ** see Rashi- Metzudas & Malbim ‘ד -א םימיה ירבד
MF
Vues Master’s Note: Sounds like the Haggadah. We need to get with the times here. Interesting stuff!
NEW RABBI
Dear Vues Master:
A הליהק in Romania sent םיחילש to find them a בר. The םיחילש returned, reporting that they found a בר who has many fine qualities and just one ןורסיח: he’s הליפתב ךיראמ, particularly when he says הרשע הנומש and עמש תאירק. Until he says וימורמב םולש השוע or תמא םכיקלא ׳ה, the המשנ can go out. The הליהק was debating whether to reject him and had difficulty coming to agreement until one man stood up and said: “As far as הרשע הנומש goes, we can manage to wait for the בר to finish, since there’s a limit to how long he can remain standing on his feet. But I don’t think we will be able to wait for the בר to finish עמש תאירק, since who knows how many hours or even years it will take the בר to get to תמא.”
MD
Vues Master’s Note: Turns out that my friend stole the Kohen’s shoes. Hope he gets the bracha! I heard that one who takes the shoes does not get a bracha. Is that true?
PARKING
Dear Vues Master:
I loved the article on Parking by Rabbi Steinfeld so I came up with this initiative. Anyone who wants to join or have any other ideas can either email parkingrelief@gmail.com or call 702-900-PARK which is 702-900-7275. It will help other Yidden. I have an idea that can help resolve sinas chinom and promote Ahavas Yisroel. I would like to give you a little background. Many years ago, I was a Rebbie in Winnipeg, Canada. When we decided to move back to NY we were debating whether to move to Boro Park, but we decided against it because we were afraid of the Nesayon of not getting upset at other Yidden would be too difficult since Boro Park is overcrowded. (We moved to Flatbush.) THE PROBLEM: PARKING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT Boro Park was originally one and two family homes. Now it is so overcrowded with multi floor dwellings with large families and numerous cars for each family. THE OBJECTIVE: to create an awareness: first of all, to use your driveway if you have one so as to free up spots on the street. Secondly, with A REVOLUTIONARY IDEA even more parking spaces will be made available, which will cause ripple effects. To make driving in Boro Park easier to navigate Helping to minimize the double parking Help the situation of blocked driveways To help build neighborly relationships and AHAVAS YISROEL GIVE YIDDEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO HACHNOSAS ORCHIM: by allowing yidden on your property ( many yidden only have family and friends as guests. Here is an opportunity to do Hachnasas Orchim the Avraham Avinu way to complete strangers.) also see; ohr hachaim siman 333 sif 1 ramoh “inviting your friend to eat with you isn’t considered orchim and isn’t considered a seudas mitzvah Help bring Moshiach THE REVOLUTIONARY IDEA: IF WE CAN CONVINCE HOMEOWNERS WHEN THEY ARE NOT USING THEIR DRIVEWAYS TO ALLOW OTHERS TO BLOCK OR USE THEIR DRIVEWAYS; Either with an APP Or make green boards available in (seforim or other Jewish stores) with erasable markers for the front window of their house or in front of their fence Or green cones with a green board written in Hebrew/Yiddish giving the times when the driveway is available (ex: 10:30am – 2:45pm) OF COURSE WHOEVER PARKS THERE: 1) can’t be more than 5 min from their car (can’t park and go to Manhattan). 2) has to leave their cell # on the dashboard in case the owner needs access to the driveway. There are other applications to this idea; ex: if you live within a few blocks of a shul, or near a Yeshiva you can let Rebbeim/ teachers use your driveway. PS. We know there will be problems sometimes, but that is part of the mitzvah. By the way my wife and myself have personally been allowing mispalilim of our local shul to block our driveway in the morning and evening (there have been a handful of times when we needed to either pull in or out and we were inconvenienced but that is part of the mitzvah. We’ve gotten 1,000’s of opportunities to do hachnosas orchim this way. If you’d like to get such a movement/ organization ‘off the ground’ feel free to grab this great opportunity for AHAVAS YISROEL and KIDDUSH HASHEM . Tizku L’mitzvos
Y L
Vues Master’s Note: What a novel idea. The truth is that many times a Yid needs the bathroom and if one lets him in that is the greatest Hachnosas Orchim one can do in this day and age I will rewrite the info from the letter that if anyone wants to join the initiative they can email parkingrelief@gmail.com or call 702-900-PARK which is 702-900-7275. I Love this idea.
NYS PASSES ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES
Dear Vues Master:
On Tuesday, June 1, the NYS Senate passed The Electronic Signatures and Records Act (S-6521) sponsored by Senator Diane Savino and co-sponsored by Senator Simcha Felder, authorizing the use of electronic signatures on funeral and cemetery documents. “I am grateful to my colleague, Senator Savino, for her strenuous and conscientious efforts to pass this bill, which will help many people at a time when they are suffering the loss of a loved one,” said Senator Felder. “New Yorkers who are still reeling from the untimely passing of their family members know too well that grieving is hard enough without having to worry about the added stress of bureaucratic red tape.” “Once again, we see the use of technology in a most unusual way to comfort and help someone at their most trying time. The amount of grief this will spare a family is unimaginable,” said Yanky Mayer, Executive Director of Misaskim. By New York State law, funeral homes and cemeteries require a hand-written signature in order to secure permits for burial, cremation or transit and all other cemetery services. However, Death Certificates signed electronically are already legally binding. This bill will complete the upgrading of an antiquated process. For years, the “wet signature” requirement has made it more difficult for many families to make funeral and cemetery arrangements, including families whose religious beliefs mandate a speedy burial and out-of-state families making funeral arrangements for loved ones in New York. The pandemic highlighted the need for this legislation. Families in quarantine struggled to make burial arrangements for their lost loved ones while in-person interactions, necessary for original signatures, were prohibited. Additionally, at the height of the pandemic, as end of life workers endeavored to move the deceased from overcrowded hospitals to other facilities, the requirement for original signatures caused dangerous delays.
ST
Vues Master’s Note: Let us hope that we see no more deaths! Moshiach should come and we shall live forever!
KAVANA
Dear Vues Master:
The ח” ב (O.Ch.625) writes that there are three* Mitzvohs that require special הנווכ to also know and have in mind the reason why Hashem commanded us to do this Mitzvah 1) Mitzvahs הכוס because it says םכתורוד ועדי ןעמל 2) Mitzvahs ןיליפת because it says ךיפב ’ה תרות היהת ןעמל 3) Mitzvahs תיציצ because it says ורכזת ןעמל *The םידגמ ירפ adds ןבה ןוידפ because it says – םחר -רטפ לכ -’הל חבוז ינא -ןכ לע Harav Shmuel Wosner zt”l writes the reason the ח”ב doesn’t include ןבה ןוידפ is because the Torah only gives the reason to answer the son who asked תאז המ and not that we need to have in mind when performing the Mitzvah why he gave us the Mitzvah of ןבה ןוידפ.
FM
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks for the PSA. We should all have the proper kavanos while doing mitzvos.
HARD TIMES
Dear Vues Master:
A businessman who hit hard times complained that he feels as if every day was פדיון הבן. “When business was good and I was successful, my הרימא, my word, was as good as a signed contract. It was like the רמוא היה ךכו of the םיערוכ that we say on רופיכ םוי. But ever since I’ve hit these hard times, I’m at the stage of הנומ היה ךכו. It’s only when I count out the cash, that my word is accepted.”
DB
Vues Master’s Note: Some of these letters look like they were written by people going through hard times. Would love to see some more upbeat letters!
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Dear Vues Master:
Two businessmen were fierce competitors. They tried to steal sales from one another and they bad-mouthed one another. On רופיכ םוי ברע, after the אטח לע of החנמ, one approached the other in the תסנכ תיב and said: “Why fight? This is a day of הליחמו החילס.” His competitor responded: “I agree. I pray that whatever you wish for me, the םלוע לש ונובר should give you double.” The first one screamed: “עשר! Even on רופיכ םוי ברעand even in the תסנכ תיב!”
DT
Vues Master’s Note: Amazing what hate can do. Why can’t we just all get along!
CHINUCH
Dear Vues Master:
When בו׳צכוסמ םהרבא בר, the author of רזנ ינבא, was a 5 year old child, his father told him after תירחש on רופכ םוי to go home and eat something. When he returned, his father asked him if he made שודיק before eating. He answered: “At first, I did think that I need to make שודיק. But then I reconsidered because all the תווצמ that a ןטק fulfills are done to train him to fulfill when he becomes an adult. And the הוצמ of making שודיק on רופכ םוי is one I hope I will never fulfill when I become an adult.”
CD
Vues Master’s Note: I guess that is why he grew up to be the great Rebbe that he was!
NY
Dear Vues Master:
Please allow me to give advantages to living in the great Big Apple. 1) Shidduchim: People come here from all over the world to find their mate. Here you can find Jews of all walks of life. 2) Yes, we may have smaller lots, but that means less time dealing with maintenance like mowing the lawn, raking the leaves, and shoveling the snow. Also, we rarely have blackouts from fallen trees on power lines like my friends who live in the Garden State frequently experience every winter and summer. 3) No Blue Laws: We are open all the time. I cannot even imagine not being able to run errands like going to the barber or picking up clothes from the cleaners on a Sunday. 4) New York offers excellent special services, especially for early childhood education. 5) It’s cheaper. Try buying kosher food in Seattle, finding a modest dress in Arizona, or purchasing a sefer in Connecticut. 6) We have a ton of Jewish organizations and gemachs for every possible need you can think of. 7) No car, no problem. All your weekly errands from grocery shopping to pharmacy pickup, to attending shul or mikveh can be done usually within a few blocks of your home. 8) It’s safe. Yes! I know New York gets a bad rap, but because we are the city that never sleeps, you can go out for a walk at 10 P.M. and not have to worry about desolate roads since someone else will surely be walking or driving as well.
I Y
Vues Master’s Note: Go NY Go NY! We love our town!
KIDS TODAY
Dear Vues Master:
We have coddled today’s kids to the point that even attending a regular day of school is too much for them to handle. What kind of a generation are we raising? Yes, life can be stressful at times. Get used to it. Are they going to check out as adults when life gets too intense? Instead of a mental day off, try teaching your kids coping skills.
E H
Vues Master’s Note: Kids are very spoiled. We need to teach them how to deal with real life. I think these letters are stressing me out. I want to take a week off!
SONG
Dear Vues Master:
These are the lyrics from our Music Featured Video that was premiered at our 102nd Annual Yeshiva Torah Vodaath Dinner this past sun eve at the Palace , titled; “Marching Towards The Future” performed by Rabbi Baruch Levine! [Originally this was sung by Shloime Reich on JEP 2-Times of Joy-sung in Camp Aguda Color War Grand Sing. It was composed by Abie Rottenberg with lyrics by Rabbi Chaim Dovid Zwiebel [Agudath Israel] and Rabbi Moshe Rosner[Camp Rayim-MLB] TTO: Times of Joy (Originally recorded on JEP Vol. 2 & Clei Zemer) PERFORMED BY Baruch Levine Choir LYRICS BY Miriam Israeli COMPOSED BY Abie Rotenberg VIDEO PRODUCTION Mint Media MUSICAL PRODUCTION Doni Gross BOYS CHOIR Dovi Fischer Yerachmiel Lasker Zevi Leshkowitz Yaakov perl Dovi Werner Torah Vodaath 6th Grade There’s a place in our nation Generations passing through its halls Legacy from Har Sinai Where the past connects and the future calls New and old blend together Through a lens of Torah we shine the way For we know that tomorrow’s leaders Are the talmidim/ children of today Keish echad Belev Achad Tens of Doros join as one Torah Vodaas brings mesorah From Rebbe & Father to son As we march toward the future Torah teaches us the truth It’s our lifeline through the ages Here each child is a treasure With immense potential yet unlocked Here we teach every talmid That the path of Torah is true geshmak Here it lies, itis the secret Keep it vibrant, thriving and alive As we grow we extend the chain So Klal Yisrael will survive Torah Vodaas brings mesorah From Rebbe & Father to son As we march toward the future Torah teaches us the truth It’s our lifeline through the ages Look inside the Bais Medrash Where the sound of Torah is loud and strong Calling out to our children, saying If you want to you can belong It’s a dream that we kindle Just a tiny seed that can grow beyond Every day we relay the message Here the Torah will carry on Al Titosh Toras Imecha It’s the wisdom we all know Torah Vodaas gives a chance For talmidei chachomim to grow As we march toward the future Torah teaches us the truth It’s our lifeline through the ages Keish echad Belev Achad Tens of Doros join as one Torah Vodaas brings mesorah From Rebbe & Father to son Al Titosh Toras Imecha It’s the wisdom we all know Torah Vodaas gives a chance For talmidei chachomim to grow As we march toward the future Torah teaches us the truth It’s our lifeline through the ages
MS
Vues Master’s Note:Amazing song for an amazing institution!