25 Jun SPEAK YOUR VUES WITH THE VUES MASTER
THE LARGEST KOSHER PIZZA STORE IN
THE WORLD
Dear Vues Master
Is it true that they are opening this week the largest kosher
pizza store in the world in Monticello? Supposedly the new
Monticello Liberty Pizza store on Broadway can seat over
250 people, making it the largest pizza store in the world.
It’s amazing how many pizza stores there are upstate nowI
LB
Vues Master Note: We wish them hatzlacha. What’s really
amazing is how pizza stores upstate are now charging over
$4 a slice. I remember when buying pizza for dinner was a
cheap night out!
GOURMET GLATT OPENING UPSTATE
Dear Vues Master
It’s incredible how another major kosher supermarket is
opening just for the summer. Most of these stores are only
open for 10 weeks a year & are gigantic. How do they do it?
YS
Vues Master Note: The Catskills seem to be booming over
the summer. Drive around Fallsburg, Loch Sheldrake &
Monticello & you will see new homes being built everywhere.
BRIDGE IN WOODBOURNE
Dear Vues Master
Is it true that they plan on doing construction on the bridge in
Woodbourne because it’s not safe?
EL
Vues Master Note: There were rumors about that last
summer. It might be true but they don’t plan on doing any
work this summer.
NO MORE BOWLING ALLEYS IN THE AREA
Dear Vues Master
I remember how only 15 years ago my family would go
every week bowling in Kiamesha or Liberty. No more.
I remember when Ohr Naava would rent out the lanes on
Motzei Shabbos & let kids bowl for free. No more.
I remember when there was a lot of entertainment in the
Catskills for families. No more.
EF
Vues Master Note: It’s a shame. Bowling was a good clean
game that all the camps in the area used to play. There are
still plenty of places for families to go. Just read this week’s
Country Vues & you’ll find many of them.
EXIT 105B IN MONTICELLO
Dear Vues Master
Last summer there was a lot of construction by 105B which
produced a lot of traffic. They finished it this past winter &
it looks a lot nicer but it is clearly an accident prone circle.
Drivers go in & out of lanes. I really hope that there are not
too many accidents there this summer.
YL
Vues Master Note: What a waste of $23 million federal
dollars.
ALIYAH
Dear Vues Master:
My husband keeps saying we must train to fight off our
enemies more than ever!
Hillel fulds article last shabbat was really powerful.
Especially after what happened in L.A this week and at a
graduation in Brooklyn. We should all make a plan. It’s time
to go to Israel asap!
NA
Vues Master’s Note: Feels like Germany all over again!!
NO LOCK UP
Dear Vues Master:
Know your driver’s license status, so you don’t get arrested
this summer. “You wouldn’t believe how many frantic calls
for help my office gets, every summer, because a father,
son, or husband got locked up for driving with a suspended
license,” said Senator Felder. “At that point, there is no
choice except to go through the legal system. It is traumatic,
stressful, and very expensive to resolve, but it can all be
avoided entirely by checking your driver’s license at my
office, for free.” Check if your license is 100% clean, at
no cost: 1. Call Senator Felder’s office at 718-253-2015 or
email felder@nysenate.gov 2. Provide your name, address,
and driver’s license ID number NYS Department of Motor
Vehicles will check your driver’s license for you, and if it is
suspended, we will give you all the information you need
to fix the problem right away. “Anyone who gets pulled
over for any minor traffic violation and is found to have a
suspended license gets arrested,” cautions Senator Felder.
“People make mistakes, and they miss the official notice
sent by mail. You will only know if you check.” Restoring
your driving privilege is now simpler and more affordable
with income-based payment plans offered by DMV, under a
law co-sponsored by Senator Felder. Driver’s information is
also accessible online with a myDMV account at www.dmv.
ny.gov Senator Simcha Felder
Vues Master’s Note: Just drive safely!
PROFIT OR PROPHET
Dear Vues Master:
Philip ran into David on the street and
said “I’m so sorry to hear about your store
burning down.” David quickly spun around
and whispered “Shh – it’s tomorrow.”
MB
Vues Master’s Note: I assure you with
all assurances this was not an insurance
scam!!
KOVOD SHOMAYIM
Dear Vues Master:
In last week’s Jewish Vues issue (June 19-
25) on page 55, your Mi K’Amcha Yisroel
the section praised, rightfully so, many
beautiful acts of Chesed, righteousness and
Mesiras Nefesh by Acheinu Bnei Yisroel.
However, their was one excerpt that I
found unjustified. Titled “What a special
people we are ‘’, the article praised the fact
that irreligious Jews, wanting to inform
their religious neighbors of the wonderful
news of the rescued hostages, went around
putting up signs informing them of the
news. Although this idea sounds like a great
thing to do, and it strikes a “feel good”
chord, in truth there is no justification
to this. What they did was completely
not proper according to Halacha. We are
docheh Shabbos for Pikuach Nefesh, but
not to spread good news. Even if their
heart was in the right place, that doesn’t
take away from the fact that it was Chillul
Shabbos to write each of those notes.
Even if the ones that wrote the notes were
irreligious, it doesn’t justify the extra
Chillul Shabbos associated with writing
these notes. Although we cannot control the
actions of others, it is certainly not proper
to commend them and praise them (or Chas
V’Shalom encourage them) I’m their act of
Chillul Shabbos. Thank you once again for
your enjoyable newspaper.
Vues Master’s Note: Try to find the good in
every Yid and don’t worry they will all come
back!!
ETHICS
Dear Vues Master:
The Committee on Ethics in Jewish
Leadership is deeply disappointed by the
refusal of American Jewish University
to fire staff members who have engaged
in sexual harassment and discrimination
against AJU students. Last year, the
university commissioned the law firm
of Cozen O’Connor to investigate more
than a dozen complaints filed by students
who were victims of harassment or
discrimination at AJU in recent years. The
report concluded that there was “a climate
of discrimination and or harassment” at
the university. The report was completed
last week, but instead of releasing it, AJU
distributed only a brief summary of what
it claims are the highlights of the findings.
The summary did not mention any steps that
will be taken against the abusers. American
Jewish University’s lack of transparency
is appalling. Hiding the full report from
the public makes it impossible to identify
which individuals were responsible for the
abuse. AJU’s vague pledge to “do better” is
insufficient. The Jewish community has a
right to know what the investigation found,
and the harassers and abusers must be fired
immediately. At a time when the Jewish
community is experiencing a shortage of
trained rabbis, AJU’s toxic atmosphere
has led some students to transfer to other
rabbinical seminaries, and others seeking
rabbinical training do not want to study at
AJU. The university’s failure failing to deal
quickly and definitively to stop harassment
is an outrage. Rabbinical students naturally
seek to emulate the rabbis who teach
them. It is incumbent upon AJU to create
a community of teachers and students who
inspire one another and set an example
of the high level of moral integrity and
spiritual inspiration that is expected from
rabbis. The only way to effectively combat
sexual harassment and abuse in the Jewish
world is for Jewish institutions to be
completely transparent about the abusers
in their midst, and take specific, serious
actions to penalize them. No student at AJU
can ever feel safe until the abusers have
been publicly named and fired.
Rafael Medoff
Vues Master’s Note: History repeats itself
over and over again!
SCANNED
Dear Vues Master:
URGENT I urge everyone over the age
of 45 to get a colonoscopy. Younger
people in their early 40’s are developing
Colon Cancer at an alarming rate. This is
a very painful cancer for the patient and
their loved ones. If you are of Ashkenazy
background, you have a greater chance of
Colon Cancer. Colon Cancer is the second
leading cause of Cancer-related deaths in
the United States but it doesn’t have to be.
This type of cancer
Can be treated or even prevented through a
Colonoscopy. Please make an appointment
with your G.I. doctor. DO IT NOW. IT
COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.
Concerned
Vues Master’s Note: It could save a life!
WIN
Dear Vues Master:
The wall between gan eden and gahenom
collapsed. The people in עדן גן complained
that the heat from gahenom was entering
into their space and sued before the דין בית
מעלה של, arguing that those in gahenom are
responsible to repair it. Those in gahenom
argued that it should be left the way it is.
They were finally getting some cool, fresh
air. They won. All the lawyers were in
gahenom.
EW
Vues Master’s Note: Oh boy having to
spend an eternity with lawyers is enough of
a reason to make sure you go to heaven!
JOB APPLICANT
Dear Vues Master:
The President of a company was
interviewing job applicants for an executive
position. He asked each applicant “What
is two and two?” The first applicant had a
background as a journalist. He answered
twenty two. The second applicant’s
experience was in engineering. He pulled
out a calculator and said the answer is
between 3.999 and 4.001. Then came a
lawyer who cited precedent stating that the
answer was four. The final applicant was an
accountant. He also was asked how much
is two and two. The accountant got up from
his chair, went over to the door, closed it,
then came back and sat down. He leaned
across the desk and said in a low voice
“How much do you want it to be?” He got
the job.
RD
Vues Master’s Note: Definitely does not
sound like my accountant!!
WEAK
Dear Vues Master:
the of one , כהן גדול, ר‘ צדוק הכהן זצ“ל The
greatest Chasidic Masters & מחשבה בעל,
משה When “,ספר צדקת הצדיק his in writes
רבינו warned the מעפילים not to attempt to
forcefully enter ישראל ארץ before the time
is right he said to them תצלח לא והיא The
word “והיא “implies that this time it won’t
be successful but there will come a time
in the future when they will be successful
even though they will enter forcefully and
before the time is right. This will happen
in our generation.” *Perhaps, according the
ַאֶַּתּ֘ם֘) Pasuk the in פשט is this צדקת הצדיק
ַאֶַּתּ֘ם֘ When ִּֽת�ֽי ְְרׁ֣שּ֣ו ֶאֶת־ַאַ ְְדָמָת֒ם֒ )ויקרא כ:כ“ד
וּ֣שְׁ֣רְיֽ�תִּֽ you will first posses the land on your
to it give will I ַֽֽוֲאִ֞נ�֞י ֶאְֶּתֶּ֤נָּ֤נּה ָלֶָכֶ֙ם֙ then ,own
you.
MF
Vues Master’s Note: That would amount as
Zionism is the Aschalta DiGeulah. I don’t
think so!
SHABBOS
Dear Vues Master:
As the summer arrives and people head
for greener pastures, there are numerous
shabbos issues that start to pop up that may
not during the year. One must be careful
outdoors with drinks so that they don’t get
spilled on grass. Outdoor furniture that can
get wet should not be tilted and spilled where
it may lead to plants. Trees may not be used
for anything, and especially not to climb
them. The conditions for a tree swing is that
it is not directly attached to the branch, it is
attached to a hook or bracket that connects
to the tree, and the branch must be super
strong that it won’t shake the whole time.
If this isn’t the case, it can’t be used. Many
issues come up by making temporary
ohels such as mosquito nets, blanket tents,
retractable awnings, tarps, and canopies.
One must be sure to study the mechanism
of what they have and want to use before
assuming it’s permissible. Some of them
might count as building, and some of them
might not. Also removing or putting in a
window screen is definitely not allowed.
Kicking any Pebbles or Landscaping Twigs
back into their place should not be done. A
very big problem in Suburban areas is the
automatic light sensors frequently found by
people’s porches or patios, or by the garage.
A Jewish Home must make sure these are
deactivated before Shabbos. Sometimes it
may require you to cross a street in order
to avoid one once you know it is there, the
key is to stay aware as best as you can. Eruv
laws apply everywhere, know what you
have and where to be careful. A floating
pool toy may not be returned into the
pool even though no one is using it. Insect
repellent is allowed to be put on skin. But
no killing bugs of any kind! If your shoes
get really wet and muddy, it’s permissible
to wipe them with a dry rag or paper towel,
but if the shoes were left to dry then you
can no longer clean the mud off because it
would be grinding. As normal, no feeding
wildlife of any kind. I hope this was a good
Refresher and everyone has a safe healthy
summer with perfect Shabbosim!
KLMY
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks for the shiur!!
TRUE LOVE
Dear Vues Master:
A man died and was told by an angel that
because he led a good life, he’s going to
heaven. “Where was my wife sent?” he
asked. Gahenim, he’s told. “Well, then I
want to go there too,” he said. “Wow, you
must have been madly in love,” the angel
responded. “No,” he said, “I want to see
her burn.”
SD
Vues Master’s Note: Not funny, my wife
told me to write this. I did ask her why it’s
not funny but I got punched in reply!
ANTI SEMITIC
Dear Vues Master:
President Joe Biden surely didn’t intend
to wade into the public debate over how to
define antisemitism, but he has just done
so—in a big way.
In a June 14 post on X (Twitter), the
president condemned what he called
“the horrific acts of Antisemitism this
week.” Those acts were “abhorrent,” he
wrote. They didn’t “just threaten Jewish
Americans,” but “all Americans.” And
they “threaten our fundamental democratic
values,” too.
What were the incidents that President
Biden defined as antisemitic? He cited
four types: “vandalism targeting Jewish
homes,” “attacks on Jewish faculty
at college campuses,” “harassment of
subway riders” and—most notably—“a
demonstration celebrating the 10/7 attack.”
He was referring to the demonstration by
thousands of Hamas supporters outside
the White House on June 8. How do we
know that they were, in the president’s
words, “celebrating the 10/7 attack”? The
evidence was their clothing, their placards,
and their slogans:
— Some demonstrators wore green
Hamas headbands. Others wore the
headband of the Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine, which also took
part in the October 7 massacres.
— A huge banner read: “Jihad of Victory or
Martyrdom – Al Qassam.” (The latter is the
armed wing of Hamas.) Another banner
declared: “Long Live October 7th,” in
English and Arabic. Other demonstrators
held signs urging “Intifada Now” and
“F*** Israel / Stand with Hamas.”
— Protesters chanted slogans urging
Hamas: “Kill another soldier now!” They
also chanted, “There is only one solution:
intifada, revolution,” and “From the river
to the sea, Palestine will be free,” echoing
the Hamas goal of replacing all of Israel
with a State of Palestine.
— The protesters unspooled a lengthy
paper scroll on which, according to the
New York Times, they wrote “names of
the more than 36,000 Palestinians who
had been killed during the war.” The
number 36,000, which is the exaggerated
figure Hamas circulates, includes both
civilians and terrorists. By including
all of the names, the demonstrators
were memorializing and honoring
approximately 15,000 dead terrorists.
The fact that the president considers those
words and actions to be antisemitic has
enormous implications, because almost
all of the pro-Hamas rallies that have been
held since last October have included one
or more of those elements. Whether they
have been shutting down bridges, invading
museums, blocking traffic, or pitching tents
on college campuses, the protesters have,
again and again, celebrated the October
7 pogrom in their chants, speeches, and
signs. They have openly cheered the attack
as “resistance.” They have hailed dead
terrorists as “our martyrs.” They have
called for the “liberation of Palestine by
any means necessary.” They have sported
Hamas headbands or waved Hamas flags.
They have circulated cartoons glorifying
the killers who crossed into Israel on
paragliders.
Now President Biden has, in effect, said
that all of those actions were antisemitic,
just as the rally outside the White House
was antisemitic. He is saying that
supporting the mass murder, rape and
torture of Israeli Jews is antisemitic. It’s
antisemitic even if the protesters aren’t
saying the words “We are against Jewish
people” (which is how Rep. Ilhan Omar
has defined antisemitism). It’s antisemitic
even if demonstrators are not calling for
the murder of every Jew in the world.
President Biden’s position is consistent
with the definition of antisemitism that
has been adopted by the 33 countries
belonging to the International Holocaust
Remembrance Alliance, a definition used
by the U.S. State Department since 2010.
That definition includes eleven specific
examples of antisemitism. The first one
states: “Calling for, aiding, or justifying
the killing or harming of Jews in the name
of a radical ideology or an extremist view
of religion.” President Biden, in his tweet,
has affirmed what many people have been
pointing out for a long time. Now we need
a serious discussion about how to address
the fact that so many antisemites—not just
“critics of Israel” or “critics of Zionism,”
but antisemites—are wreaking havoc
throughout the country.
Rafael Medoff
Vues Master’s Note: How true!
PSYCHO
Dear Vues Master:
Jewish holidays are for people with
illnesses:
Purim is for alcoholics. Pesach is for
OCDs. Shavuos is for insomniacs, and
Lag B’omer is for pyromaniacs who
weren’t satisfied with Chanuka. Tisha
B’Av is for manic depressives and Rosh
Hashana is for people who obsess over
dying. Yom Kippur is for anorexics and
Sukkos is for the homeless. Simchas
Torah is for those in their happier stages
of bipolar. Mi K’Amcha Yisroel. … and
people still wonder why the Jews invented
psychology!
YL
Vues Master’s Note: I need time to analyze
this letter!
PERFECT WIFE
Dear Vues Master:
A Yeshiva Bachur learned that those
who suffer in this world will enjoy עדן גן
הבא בעולם. When it came time for him
to get married, he told the shadchan that
he was interested in a good looking girl
who was very mean and would not treat
him with respect. This would be his ticket
to עדן גן. The shadchan told him that he
had the perfect match for him. They made
the shidduch, but after they were married
she treated him with great respect and
kindness. At first, he thought that perhaps
it would last only through the honeymoon.
But as it continued, he candidly told her
how surprised he was. “You’re not getting
into עדן גן on my חשבון, “she said.
GY
Vues Master’s Note: They probably lived
forever without ever having to go to
Gehinom or Gan Eden. It was his Gehinom
on earth!
GRAVE DANGER
Dear Vues Master:
the that holds רשב“ם ב“ב נ“ח ע“א The
קברי צדיקים visit may גדולים וחשובים only
The Maharsha explains that was the reason
Eliezar stood guard at the entrance of the
grave to make sure only וחשובים גדולים
would enter. The Satmar Rebbe, R. Yoilish
Zt”l writes, “based on the Zohar (אחרי
) going to צדיקים קברי is only for those
who know and understand the secret of
connecting with the tzadik. For those who
do not understand it, there is no point to
go and it is a גדולה סכנה to go there.”
MF
Vues Master’s Note: Don’t say this out
loud. You will convince a lot of people to
stop visiting Uman and the like!
Summer
Dear Vues Master,
As the summer arrives and people head
for greener pastures, there are numerous
shabbos issues that start to pop up that may
not during the year. One must be careful
in the outdoors with drinks that they don’t
get spilled on grass. Outdoor furniture that
can get wet should not be tilted and spilled
where it may lead to plants. Trees may not
be used for anything, and especially not
to climb them. The conditions for a tree
swing is that it is not directly attached
to the branch, it is attached to a hook or
bracket that connects to the tree, and the
branch must be super strong that it won’t
shake the whole time. If this isn’t the case,
it can’t be used. Many issues come up of
making temporary ohels such as mosquito
nets, blanket tents, retractable awnings,
tarps, and canopys. One must be sure to
study the mechanism of what they have
and want to use before assuming it’s
permissible. Some of them might count
as building, and some of them might not.
Also removing or putting in a window
screen is definitely not allowed. Kicking
any Pebbles or Landscaping Twigs back
into their place should not be done. A
very big problem in Suburban areas is the
automatic light sensors frequently found
by people’s porches or patios, or by the
garage. A Jewish Home must make sure
these are deactivated before Shabbos.
Sometimes it may require you to cross a
street in order to avoid one once you know
it is there, the key is to stay aware as best
as you can. Eruv laws apply everywhere,
know what you have and where to be
careful. A floating pool toy may not be
returned into the pool even though no
one is using it. Insect repellent is allowed
to be put on skin. But no killing bugs of
any kind! If your shoes get really wet and
muddy, it’s permissible to wipe them with
a dry rag or paper towel, but if the shoes
were left to dry then you can no longer
clean the mud off because it would be
grinding. As normal, no feeding wildlife of
any kind. I hope this was a good Refresher
and everyone has a safe healthy summer
with perfect shabbosim! KLMY