09 Jul SPEAK YOUR VUES WITH THE VUES MASTER

TRAFFIC
Dear Vues Master
Did everyone hit insane traffic this past Sunday night coming
back from the Catskills? It took me over four hours to get
back to Brooklyn & I left at 4pm. I was hoping to beat the
traffic.
FW
Vues Master’s Note: Welcome to July 4th weekend!

GRAND OPENING OF SMASH HOUSE
Dear Vues Master
I read in last week’s Country Vues edition about a new
restaurant in Woodbourne called Smash House Burgers.
I took my family there Sunday night for dinner & we all
enjoyed it very much. It’s a small restaurant that is not with
the other stores in Woodbourne. It’s over the bridge. The
food was great & the vibe was excellent. Just wanted to wish
the owners hatzlocha! We will definitely be going back.
Vues Master’s Note: We love hearing positive feedback about
businesses that advertise with us. The owners are great
young guys & we also wish them tremendous hatzlocha.

FUN QUESTIONS
Dear Vues Master:
I just wanted to tell you that my family LOVES the Jewish
& Country Vues this summer. Keep up the great work!! We
especially love the Fun Questions & all the great articles!
HY
Vues Master’s Note: Thank you!!! We appreciate all feedback,
especially positive feedback.

GREAT STORY
Dear Vues Master
Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Biston and his wife Bayla Rachel have
been emissaries of the Rebbe in North Broward, Florida
for over four decades. Twenty four years ago, their eldest
daughter Estie became engaged to Rabbi Mendy Gutnick.
The wedding was to take place in Florida and the many
people with whom they had connected with over their years
of devotion to the Jewish community, as well as family and
friends, looked forward to attending the wedding. On the
day of the wedding, while standing under his daughter’s
chupa, Rabbi Biston noticed an old friend of his amongst
the guests. This was none other than Mr. H. from Flatbush,
a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. Rabbi Biston was
delighted yet surprised to see Mr. H. at the wedding as he had
not responded that he was coming and he therefore did not
expect him. He had met Mr. H. more than thirty years ago,
when they both attended Camp Gan Israel overnight camp in

Swan Lake, New York. Mr. H. was several years older than
Rabbi Biston and came from a different country. Despite
these differences, they became friends, a friendship that grew
stronger when Mr. H. studied in the Central Lubavitcher
Yeshiva at 770 Eastern Parkway. Though separated over the
years by distance, the two kept in touch and would “catch
up” whenever they would see each other. After the chupa,
Mr. H. came over to wish Rabbi Biston “mazal tov” and
said, “I will tell you later why I am attending this wedding.”
A little while later Rabbi Biston found Mr. H. again and
Mr. H. proceeded to tell his old friend this most amazing
story: “Before I tell you the dream that I had, I must tell
you something that happened over 23 years ago. Your father
and I were friendly. I knew that you had been married for
several years and still did not have any children. I decided to
go to the Rebbe and ask him for a blessing for you and your
wife. As I knew what time the Rebbe would leave ‘770’ to
go home, I planned to go up to the Rebbe as he was walking
to his car. Sure enough, when the Rebbe came out of 770, I
approached him and asked him for a blessing for children for
Yosef Yitzchok ben Zvetel Gitel and his wife Bayla Rochel
bas Devorah. When the Rebbe heard me, he immediately
said ‘Devorah Leah,’ to correct me, and then added, ‘I
already gave them a blessing.’ ‘But that was not good enough
for me. I told the Rebbe, ‘I want a guarantee.’ To this the
Rebbe said, ‘You and I will dance at the wedding.’ “I asked
the Rebbe, ‘The Rebbe will dance? But the Rebbe doesn’t
go to weddings.’ “The Rebbe looked at me and said, ‘Don’t
worry, we will both dance at their children’s wedding.’ “I
asked the Rebbe, ‘Who is “we,” me and the Rebbe?’ The
Rebbe repeated this sentence two more times. And that was
the end of the conversation. “After Gimmel Tammuz came I
couldn’t understand what the Rebbe had meant, just how was
he going to keep his promise. But after I tell you the dreams
that I had you will understand.” Mr. H. then continued his
story. “On this past Friday night, just a few days before you
daughter’s wedding, I had a dream. The Rebbe and your
father Yiddel (of blessed memory) came to me. The Rebbe
asked me, ‘Why aren’t you going to the wedding?’ At first I
didn’t respond so the Rebbe asked me again, ‘Why aren’t you
going to the wedding? We made a deal that we would dance
at the wedding.’ I didn’t respond and I woke up. I did not pay
attention to the dream. “The following night, Saturday night,
the Rebbe came to me in a dream again, this time without
your father. Once again the Rebbe asked me, ‘Why aren’t
you going to the wedding?’ I responded that I have no money
with which to go. To this the Rebbe said, ‘A chasid never
has a problem with money.’ “I told the Rebbe, ‘But I am not
a chasid.’ The Rebbe answered, ‘Du bist – you are.” And

with that the dream ended. I did not pay any
attention to this dream as well. “The next night,
Sunday night, I had yet a third dream. The
Rebbe came to me and asked, ‘Nu, why aren’t
you going to the wedding?’ I responded, ‘It’s
too difficult financially.’ The Rebbe answered,
‘Du vest haben di gelt – you will have the
money.’ With that I awoke. “That day, Monday
morning, I went to work and met a friend along
the way. He said to me, ‘You look worried.’ I
told him that I hadn’t slept in a few nights. My
friend said to me, ‘I want to give you $400 to
go to Florida and take a vacation.’ I responded
that I didn’t have the time to go to Florida for a
vacation. But my friend insisted, ‘You can even
take a vacation for one day.’ “That afternoon
when I came home, my wife suggested that I
call the Bistons to wish them ‘mazal tov.’ After
all, their daughter was getting married in two
days. I then said to my wife, ‘Maybe I should
go to the wedding instead of just calling them.’
I called my friend and asked him if his offer
still stood. ‘Of course,’ he said. I called the
airlines and booked a ticket, then booked a
hotel in Florida for the night. The total price
was $300. I called my friend back and told him
I would only need $300. His response was,
‘How could you go to a wedding and not bring
a gift? Give the extra hundred dollars to the
bride and groom.’ “And here I am,” concluded
Mr. H.
AE
Vues Masters Note: Wow!! What a story.

EIN OD MILVADO
Dear Vues Master:
I just read an article by Rabbi Elimelech
Biderman Shlit”a that said that the Nefesh
HaChaim writes, “There is a great concept and
a wonderful segulah to remove and to abolish
all dinim, hardships, from oneself…and no one
can harm him, not even in the slightest way.
The segulah is that a person should put in his
heart that Hashem is the true G-d, and there is
no other force in the world at all… [When one
perceives this] he doesn’t pay attention and
give value to any force that’s in the world. He
devotes his pure thoughts solely to Hashem,
the singular Master, bless Him. [When a person
thinks about this] Hashem will help him, and
all strengths will have no power over him.
They won’t be able to do anything negative to
him at all.” When he realizes that they are not
real forces, they lose their power over him, and
he will only receive Hashem’s kindness. The
Nefesh HaChaim’s descendants practiced this
wonderful segulah, and they told the miracles
that happened to them, when they focused on
it. Reb Chaim Volozhiner’s great-grandson was
the Beis HaLevi of Brisk zt’l. His son was Reb
Chaim Brisker zt’l, and his son was Reb Velvel,
the Brisker Rav zt’l. We have three stories
from them, on this subject: The Jewish section
of Brisk had gates at both ends. One day, the
police closed both gates so no one could leave,
and began checking each store, one by one,
to see whether anyone was selling products
without reporting it to the tax collectors. One
shopkeeper ran to the Beis HaLevi and told

him that he’s afraid the police might catch him.
The Beis HaLevi told him to stay with him, and
together they studied that section of Nefesh
HaChaim, because the Nefesh HaChaim
assures that the awareness that everything is
from Hashem is a segulah for protection. They
kept reviewing this piece, over and over again,
until people came to them to tell them that the
police had left. Miraculously they forgot to
check his store. The miracle was clothed within
the rules of nature: The police were checking
store after store. When they reached this man’s
store, they decided to stop for a break. They
made a little mark on his shop to remember
where they were up to. When they returned,
they thought the sign implied that they had
already checked that store, so they moved on
to the next store. This is how he was saved.
And it was in the merit of the recognition
that everything is from Hashem. The second
story happened with the Beis HaLevi and his
son, Reb Chaim of Brisk zt’l. The Russians
conscripted Reb Chaim Brisker zt’l to the
czar’s army. The Beis HaLevi traveled with his
son to the army headquarters, and throughout
this trip they studied the segulah of the Nefesh
HaChaim. An army doctor gave Reb Chaim a
medical checkup and said that he was exempt
from the army, without offering an explanation.
The third story happened with Reb Velvel zt’l.
When the Nazis invaded Poland, the Brisker
Rav acquired false passports, and traveled with
his family from Warsaw to Russia. As they
neared the Russian border, a Nazi ran towards
them shouting wildly. Just then a Russian
soldier appeared, and the Nazi fled. The
Brisker Rav told his family, “The entire time
that we traveled, I was focused on the Nefesh
HaChaim’s segulah. This is how we were able
to travel the long distance from Warsaw to
the Russian border without any disturbance.
However, when we reached the border, I felt
confident that we were safe and I forgot to
focus on the Nefesh HaChaim’s counsel. That
is when the Nazi appeared. I quickly refocused
on the segulah, I began thinking about how
everything is from Hashem, and the Nazi ran
away.” Everyone should strive to remember that
everything is from Hashem. This awareness is
a protection. In addition, if someone is already,
unfortunately, going through hard times, but
he remembers that it is all from Hashem, this
awareness has the potential to remove the
hardships, or to lessen them. His recognition of
the ‘à, Alufo shel Olam, sweetens the situation,
and alleviates the yesurim.
EFR
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks so much for
sharing!!

TZEDAKAH
Dear Vues Master:
A poor man once came to the home of Rav
Boruch Ber Leibowitz, zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva
of the Kaminetz Yeshiva, and asked for a
donation. Rav Boruch Ber could only find a
small amount of money to give, and he gave it
to the man with his apologies for giving such

a small sum. Rav Boruch Ber then asked the
man if he was going to go home, and the poor
man responded, “Yes, Rebbe, this is my last
stop today.” Rav Boruch Ber, together with
two of his students, insisted on accompanying
this man home. All along the way, Rav Boruch
Ber gave him a lot of Chizuk with words of
encouragement and other kind words. The man
was delighted with this honor. Later, when
his students asked why he had given this man
such Kavod, Rav Boruch Ber replied, “Who
can understand the depths of a poor man’s
shame when he comes to ask for a donation?
He loses part of his health and calmness when
he stretches out his hand to beg for help. Yet,
when he receives a nice donation, he not only
receives some money to help support his family,
but he also feels encouraged by the compassion
that is shown to him. Therefore, the health
he lost returns to him. Today, I did not have
a lot of money to give him, and the Halacha
is that if I don’t have, I am not obligated to
give. However, I was still obligated to replace
the health he lost when he approached me for
a donation, because I had a small part in his
shame. Therefore, I decided to escort him and
give him honor and Chizuk, because this would
also serve to restore his health!”
TUT
Vues Master’s Note: Wow! What a story!!

CAMP
Dear Vues Master:
Many parents today send their children to
camp, and whether it’s a sleepaway camp, or a
regular day camp, or even if you’re not sending
anybody away to camp, there’s a beautiful
idea that I think resonates with me very much,
and I believe it will resonate with you. Rav
Shimshon Pinkus, ZT’L says, that if you have
a cup of water, and you want to heat it up, in
order to do so you need to create a mechitza.
You can’t put the water on the fire because the
fire will become extinguished. There’s a desire
to heat up the water, but it can only be done
through a mechitza. So you have a pot, and
the pot gets heated up from the fire, and then
the pot will warm up the water. And I think
one of the ideas that he’s expressing is, that
sometimes to bring two things very, very close
together, you need a little bit of a separation
to do so. And I think that’s very true in human
nature as well. Sometimes when people are
together all the time, they take each other for
granted. Whether it’s parents and children, or
siblings, or spouses. You know people, when
they’re always together, they take each other
for granted. And you don’t feel that connection.
And you don’t appreciate the connection. But
when you separate the two, suddenly that
brings you closer than ever before. Hopefully,
IY”H, everybody will have a very safe summer.
A summer where Hashem protects us all. A
Summer of Aliyah, of Kedusha. A summer
when we refresh ourselves so that IY”H, when
the new year starts, and the new school year
begins, everybody can come back feeling like
they’re ready to go to become the best they can

possibly be.
YAS
Vues Master’s Note: There is nothing like
Camp!

TRUTH
Dear Vues Master:
The Brisker Rav was once asked: Tehillim
says that תצמח מארץ אמת. Why then is there
so little truth in the world? The Rav answered
“Because people don’t want to bend down to
gather it.”
CN
Vues Master’s Note: How true is that!!

OLIM
To whom it may concern,
This past week’s issue contained an article
by R’ Moshe Taragin regarding the changing
landscape faced by American Jews in a post
10/7 world. It contained the usual statements
about how the US is just another stop on our
way to EY, how it’s no longer safe for Jews
in the US and how it’s time for us all to pick
up and move to Israel. All arguments we’ve
seen before and the veracity of which can
and has been debated for many years. That’s
all well and good and while many find this
line of reasoning an insult to the wonderful
kehilas and organizations we’ve created in the
Diaspora, which have spread the light of Torah
and made a kiddush Hashem across the world,
as a g-d fearing Jew I don’t take issue with the
argument that Israel is the Jewish homeland
and that we will all find our way there in the
times of Moshiach. What I found shocking
and disturbing however was the following
paragraph.
Some Israelis wish that life in America becomes
less secure for Jews, to encourage more rapid
Aliyah. I am uncomfortable wishing discomfort
or antisemitism upon any Jew, regardless of
where they live and independent of whether it
inspires their return to Israel. Such calculations
are better left to Hashem
Now I’ve always suspected that many Israelis,
especially Olim, harbor a sense of resentment
towards American Jews. I think its because
they perceive us as not having made the same
sacrifices they have for klal yisroel, or at least
towards the state of Israel, a claim I take issue
with as we’ve supported the state with billions
of dollars in private donations (never mind
lobbying for government aid and political
support) over the course of Israel’s existence.
So to actually see it written out for me to read
that yes, many people in Israel hope our lives
in America become worse and our existence
more precarious was a shocking admission
of something I’ve suspected for a long time.
The real shocker was that R Taragin does not
condemn this line of thinking outright. He says
“hes uncomfortable” with wishing us harm
here in the States. Not that he doesn’t wish
for this to happen, but that its not ideal. Words
matter, as we’ve heard so many times since
10/7, and R Taragins refusal to condemn this
reasoning is reckless and disturbing given the

challenges faced by yidden worldwide.
Let’s rephrase his statement and see how it
looks. “Many people think October 7th was a
good thing, but I’m uncomfortable calling it
a good thing. G-d will decide if October 7th
was a good thing”. Pretty messed up right?
If that statement came out of the mouth of
literally anyone on earth it would be met with
disgust and condemnation. I think reading a
statement like the one contained in R Taragins
article may cause many Jews in America to
reconsider their staunch support for Israel.
Perhaps people will start thinking that maybe
we don’t have an ally in the middle east,
maybe all the Israelis think we are good for
in US is our money and political support and
they don’t truly care about our safety and well
being. Maybe we need to spend our dollars
and political capital shoring up our defenses
stateside, as we clearly don’t have anyone else
to do it for us.
It’s possible I’m misreading the tone and
content of R Taragins article. After all, he
taught at Columbia and I’m just a guy from
Brooklyn. I sincerely hope that’s the case. It
would be a shame if after all the “acheinu bais
Yisroel” of the last nine months people started
to think that supporting Israel is not in the best
interest of Jews living in the Diaspora. That
would be a great tragedy for Klal Yisroel and
potential disaster for Jews across the world.
P.S.- This is in now way an attack on R
Taragin personally. My daughter, a recent
oleh, is friends with his daughter and attended
his school in Israel. I know him to be a good
and ehliche yid and a big talmid chacham. I
just think the line of thinking he presented and
refused to condemn in the strongest possible
terms needs to be snuffed out for the well
being of Jews in America, Israel, and across
the world.
Sincerely,
Avrami Szlafrok, Woodmere/Brooklyn NY

RESPONSE FROM RABBI TARAGIN
Dear Avrumi
Thank you for your very important
correspondence. I completely concur about
the importance of being vigilant and precise
in both the way we articulate ideas and
the way we speak to others. I am grateful
to you for sharing your impressions. Your
comments were written with concern and with
menshlikeit. I can tell from your comments
that you are deeply committed to Eretz Yisrael
and of course to our people. It is my pleasure
to meet you – even from afar. Hopefully we will
meet in Yerushalayim.. or in Gush Etzion.
Regarding your comments:
Sadly, there may be some Israelis who don’t
fully appreciate the vibrancy of Jewish life
in the US and the immense dedication which
Jews have for Israel. Generally, this is
prevalent among Israelis who haven’t visited
the US or don’t have family there. Given
their lack of exposure, they sometimes reach
inaccurate conclusions about US Jewry or
don’t fully appreciate their engagement with
Israel. This attitude is unfortunate and should

be corrected in strong language. I have often
tried to convey this message to Israelis who
may not fully appreciate the American Jewish
community.
However, I believe you may have
unintentionally misinterpreted my comments.
I did not claim that some view the rise of
antisemitism in the USA as chas v’shalom
a punishment for lack of commitment or
dedication to Israel. That opinion should be
corrected in much stronger language than I
used.
I was specifically discussing the impact of
antisemitism upon Aliyah. Some people,
with whom I disagree, have viewed this
phenomenon as providing favorable results.
According to their theory anything which
catalyzes a more complete and quicker Aliyah
is welcome. Again, not as a punishment for
lack of commitment to Israel, but as a method
to hasten Aliyah.
Responding to this idea – that antisemitism
has a favorable impact upon Aliyah – I wrote
that I am uncomfortable with this position and
with wishing any discomfort to Jews, even if
it possibly serves a larger purpose such as
Aliyah.
Though I disagree with this position, those
who support it can certainly point to various
statements in Chazal and in our Masorah
which suggest or allude to the fact that when
we become too comfortable outside of Israel,
persecution awakens us to return home to
Israel. According to this approach – again
one which I disagree with- the ultimate value
and benefit of living in Israel “justifies”
whatever unfortunate suffering was necessary
to achieve it.
Again, about this attitude and only this
attitude I wrote:
“Some Israelis wish that life in America
becomes less secure for Jews, to encourage
more rapid Aliyah. I am uncomfortable
wishing discomfort or antisemitism upon
any Jew, regardless of where they live and
independent of whether it inspires their return
to Israel. Such calculations are better left to
Hashem.
On a completely different note, and
unrelated to any possible misunderstanding
of my comments, I don’t like using the word
“condemn” regarding other Jews. I think we
could all benefit from softer ways of speaking
about other Jews with whom we disagree.
When an errant idea warrants a more
powerful response than the phrase “ I am
uncomfortable” I think we should try to find
something less vilifying than condemnation.
Thank you again for bringing this to my
attention and for your concerned response
Kol tuv and with hopes for continued Ahavat
Yisrael,
Rabbi Moshe Taragin

EXEMPTION
Dear Vues Master:
Rabbi Shalom Schwadron once told an
amazing story that he heard from a Jew in

London. While the rabbi was traveling there
to collect funds for Chinuch Atzmai, he met
A ba’al Teshuva who had served in the British
Navy. This man got wounded and went through
rehab and received a large stipend from the
British government for his disability. He
slowly became stronger in his observance of
Torah and Mitzvot until he became a full-time
learner of Torah. He was able to live on the
government stipend. Every three years, people
receiving this stipend had to have a hearing
to determine their continued eligibility. The
man related what took place: “After his next
hearing, he said they decided I was fit to work
and were canceling my stipend. I submitted
two appeals, but both were rejected. I did
some research and found there was a way to
appeal the committee’s decision by presenting
the case to the military court.Whatever they
decided was final. “ I went to ask my rabbi, the
one who made me a ba’al teshuva, if I should
attempt the appeal. I was already rejected
three times, and it didn’t seem likely that the
military court would override the decision.
My rabbi said, you need to do your hishtadlut
and you don’t need to lie about anything when
doing it. When you appear before the judge,
imagine you’re talking to Hashem. Tell him
everything that’s bothering you and why you
feel you should continue getting that stipend.
When the day arrived, I stated my case and
what I was doing with my time. “The judge
said, ‘you’ve already submitted three appeals.
You want to sit in your synagogue and waste
time while upstanding British citizens support
you? You’ll be acting like a parasite.’ “I’m
not a parasite,” I replied. We connect to our
Father in heaven by studying the Talmud. It
fills us with inner joy and satisfaction and
happiness, and if you take that away from me,
you’ll be taking away all the meaning in my
life. I went through a very difficult rehab as a
wounded war veteran, and I really don’t think
that I should be robbed of my meaning in life.
The judge, along with two others, left the
courtroom for ten minutes and then came back
and said he would grant a lifelong stipend.
The lawyers were astounded. Just before
this, the judge was calling the man a parasite
and now he completely changed. The judge
explained many years before this, he was the
commander of a submarine in the submarine
corps. One day during a standard mission in
the Atlantic, World War II broke out and they
were told no boat could go in or out of any
ports because it would be immediately sunk
by German torpedoes. They were stuck there
for a full year. They rationed their reserves
of food and everyone became demoralized.
None of the soldiers had any reason to get
out of bed. The judge said, ‘One day, I
entered the place where the soldiers sleep
and I heard singing. I was shocked. It came
from three men learning Talmud. I couldn’t
believe there were still happy people on the
submarine. After listening outside their room
for ten minutes, I went in and asked them
what they were doing. They told me of the
satisfaction and purpose that their learning

brings them, and I was so impressed.’ The
judge then turned to the lawyers and said,
“every country needs such people for a rainy
day. Those who are inside the water yet know
how to keep their heads above. They elevate
the entire nation. Because of them, we could
continue to smile even in difficult situations.
That is why I rule in his favor.” We make
hishtadlus whether or not it seems like the
best option, and we hope that Hashem will
bring the results.
RMT
Vues Master’s Note: Kiddush Hashem!

CHUMRA
Dear Vues Master:
They were מטמא the kohen who was to
burn the parah aduma. Immediately after
the Mikvah he did the הפרה שריפת. He
didn’t wait until nightfall. This was done
held who להוציא מלבן של צדוקים intentionally
a יום טבול may not do the הפרה שריפת Chazal
had a קבלה that even a יום טבול is considered a
פני יהושע יומא The שריפת הפרה for איש טהור
to פרה אדומה picked Chazal why asks ב‘ ע“א
prove their point over the many other מצוות
where they also disagree with the צדוקים ?
is פרה אדומה because ,answers פני יהושע The
where the צדוקים were the מחמירים Chazal
are trying to tell us not to follow the צדוקים
even if they are the מחמירים. Not always are
חומרות the right thing to do.
MF
Vues Master’s Note: You know what Frum
stands for Fil Rishus Veinig Mitzvos!

SALT
Dear Vues Master:
In an Eastern European country, chassidim
came before their Rebbie with the news that
the government imposed steep new taxes
on salt and liquor. “We can manage with
the additional cost of salt because, after all,
how much salt does one need?” they said.
“But how will we afford to buy liquor with
such an exorbitant tax?” The Rebbie replied
that he will write to one of his חסידים in
ישראל ארץ and ask him to pray at the קבר
Within .אבי אבות שותה היי״ש, לוט הצדיק of
a month, the government rescinded the salt
tax, but left the liquor tax in place. The רבי
said to his disappointed חסידים:” It seems that
the חסיד in ישראל ארץ took a detour to סדום
and instead of seeking the intercession of לוט,
turned to his wife.”
SD
Vues Master’s Note: He davened to a Statue?