09 Sep 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.

CELL PHONES
Dear Vues Master,
As a parent with children in yeshiva, I want to express my

strong support for New York State’s new cell phone restric-
tions in schools. While my children aren’t in public school,

I believe this is a positive and necessary step—one that all
communities, including our own, should take seriously.

Even though many yeshivas officially ban phones, the real-
ity is that far too many students are still on them—before

and after school, during carpool, and even in synagogue.
Social media, texting, and constant screen time are harming
our children’s focus, mental health, and ability to interact

face-to-face. It’s a problem we can no longer afford to ig-
nore.

Cell phones have no place in synagogues either. Prayer
should be a sacred time. If we, as adults, are checking our
phones during tefillah (prayer), what message does that
send our children? We must model better behavior. Our kids
see and hear everything we do—we are their first and most
influential teachers.

I understand that some parents are concerned about not be-
ing in direct contact with their children during the day. But

school is for learning, not texting. In emergencies, schools
already have systems in place. We all made it through
school without cell phones, and our children will too.
This policy is a step in the right direction. I hope yeshivas
and other private schools will follow suit. LY
Vues Master’s Note: I can’t hear you, your cell phone is
choppy!

VOTER REGISTRATION
Dear Vues Master,

I want to express my admiration and full support for the re-
cent policy enacted by Congregation Shaare Zion in Brook-
lyn, which requires proof of voter registration in order to

reserve seats for the High Holidays. This is nothing short
of genius—a bold, visionary step that every synagogue and
yeshiva in our community should adopt without hesitation.
For too long, large segments of the frum community have
remained passive during critical elections, assuming others
will shoulder the burden or that our voices won’t make a

difference. But Shaare Zion has drawn a clear and power-
ful line: effort and initiative are not optional. Prayer alone,

without action, is not enough when the safety, security, and
future of our communities are at stake.

This policy is both practical and deeply rooted in Torah val-
ues. Just as we prepare spiritually for the High Holidays,

we must also show that we take our civic responsibilities
seriously. Registering to vote is not a political act—it’s an

act of communal responsibility. Elections have real conse-
quences, from yeshiva funding to neighborhood safety, and

we must be proactive in shaping that future.
By linking seat reservations to voter registration, Shaare

Zion has issued a wake-up call to us all. This is not co-
ercion, it’s leadership. It’s about creating a culture where

civic engagement is viewed as both a religious and com-
munal obligation.

I urge every synagogue, yeshiva, and Jewish institution to
follow their example. Let’s stop being bystanders in our
own future. If we care about the future of Jewish life in
New York and beyond, now is the time to act.
We must go out and vote in full force, especially against
candidates like Mamdani for mayor, who poses a serious
concern for the Jewish community. His values do not align
with our interests or well-being.

Kol hakavod to Shaare Zion. May their initiative be the be-
ginning of a much-needed movement.

BT
Vues Master’s Note: Maybe we’ll give Mamdani an aliyah
for Shlishi in the Reform shul!

VOTING
Dear Vues Master:

I fully support the bold step taken by Magen David Yeshi-
vah in requiring parents to register to vote. At a time when

Jewish values, schools, and safety are under real threat, this
is not just smart policy, it’s a moral obligation.

Special thanks goes to Joey Cohen-Saban, whose leader-
ship and advocacy made this initiative possible. Joey under-
stands what many still do not: silence in the face of political

danger is not neutrality, it’s surrender.
Let’s be clear: Zohran Mamdani’s candidacy for mayor is
a direct threat to the Jewish community. His radical views,

open hostility toward Israel, and support for the BDS move-
ment make him entirely unfit to lead a city with one of the

world’s largest Jewish populations. This isn’t just politi-
cal—it’s a fight for the soul and safety of our community.

Magen David’s policy doesn’t dictate who to vote for—it
simply insists that we vote. And that’s exactly what every

Jewish institution should be doing. The era of political apa-
thy must end. There is too much at stake: yeshiva education,

religious freedom, community security, and the future of
Jewish life in New York.
This is not politics as usual. This is about survival. I urge all

yeshivot to follow Magen David Yeshivah’s
lead and stand strong. The time for action is
now.
DH
Vues Master’s Note: Until they risk losing
their 501(c)(3) status over politics!

MOTION SENSOR
Dear Vues Master:

I’m writing to express concern about a grow-
ing issue in our community: the widespread

use of motion sensor lights in driveways and
front yards that remain active on Shabbos.
While I understand and respect the need for
security, these lights pose a serious halachic
challenge. Many are triggered simply by
someone walking past the house on Friday
night, whether it’s a neighbor heading to shul
or a guest on their way to a meal. This can

cause people to unintentionally violate Shab-
bos or feel uncomfortable walking down cer-
tain streets.

I’m not suggesting anyone compromise on

safety, Chas Vshalom. But there are hala-
chically acceptable solutions: motion sensors

can be disabled during Shabbos hours using
timers, or replaced with lights that stay on
through the night. Some systems even include
a dedicated “Shabbos mode.”
This is a communal issue. In neighborhoods
where people are striving to observe Shabbos
properly, we should all take responsibility to
ensure our homes aren’t inadvertently causing
others to stumble. It might seem like a small
detail, but the impact is significant.

Let’s work together to create a Shabbos-
friendly environment—one where everyone

can walk freely and peacefully without fear of
violating halacha.
JR
Vues Master’s Note: It’s beyond the scope of
these notes, but halachically it might not be a
problem—it could be a psik reisha delo nicha

lei (an unintended consequence not beneficial
to the person walking by).

613
Dear Vues Master,
This past Shabbos we read Parshas Ki Seitzei,
which contains a remarkable 74 mitzvos —
the most of any parsha in the Torah. It got me
thinking: out of the 613 mitzvos in the Torah,
how many are actually applicable today?
As a male Yisrael living in chutz la’aretz

(outside of Israel), without a Beis HaMik-
dash (Holy Temple), and not being a Kohen

or Levi, I realized that many mitzvos simply
don’t apply to my situation. I asked around
twenty different people, and most estimated
that between 200 and 250 mitzvos are relevant
today.
Curious for a more accurate number, I turned
to AI for help. Here’s what I found:

The Rambam counts 613 mitzvos: 248 posi-
tive and 365 negative. However, many of

these are dependent on:
The Beis HaMikdash (sacrifices, purity laws,
etc.)
Eretz Yisrael (laws like terumos and ma’asros)
A functioning Sanhedrin and judicial system
Special roles (e.g., Kohanim, Levi’im)
The era of Moshiach
Once you remove those, most contemporary
authorities estimate that about 270 mitzvos
are still applicable. For someone like me —
a regular Jew living outside of Israel — that
number goes down even further. Roughly
200–230 mitzvos remain relevant, and of

those, maybe 150–180 can be actively ful-
filled on a regular basis.

Examples of mitzvos still fully in effect in-
clude:

Tefillin, tzitzis, tefillah, Torah study, mezuzah
Shabbos and Yom Tov observance

Ethical mitzvos: honoring parents, giving tze-
dakah, avoiding lashon hara, honest business,

etc.
The Sefer
H a C h i n u c h ,
which organizes
the 613 mitzvos

by weekly par-
sha, suggests that

only about 270

are currently ap-
plicable without

the Beis HaMik-
dash. For a non-
Kohen living in

chutz la’aretz,
that number is
even lower.
Rav Moshe
Feinstein zt”l is
quoted in some

sources as esti-
mating around

200 mitzvos are

relevant and performable today.
I found it fascinating that in today’s world,
only about 200 of the original 613 mitzvos are

practically relevant for someone like me. It re-
ally puts into perspective how precious each

mitzvah is, and how much we should value the
ones we can still do.
AH
Vues Master’s Note: Fascinating!

SELICHOS
Dear Vues Master,
Every year, as Elul winds down, I find myself
once again standing in shul for Selichos. And
every year, I struggle.

I open the siddur or machzor and try to fol-
low along, but before long I’m just mumbling

the words. I don’t really understand what I’m
saying, and the whole experience starts to feel
hollow.
I know Selichos are meant to prepare us for
the Yamim Noraim. They’re supposed to stir

the heart and awaken us to teshuvah and ra-
chamim. But often, I leave feeling more frus-
trated than inspired. The Hebrew is difficult,

the themes are heavy, and the pace is fast. I
feel disconnected from what should be one of
the most powerful times of the year.
What can I do to change this? How can I make
Selichos meaningful rather than mechanical?

I’ve thought about reading a translation be-
forehand or using a siddur with English along-
side the Hebrew. I’ve also considered listening

to shiurim about the meaning behind the pi-
yutim. But even with that, when I’m actually

standing in shul, it’s still hard to feel engaged.
I’m writing this because I suspect I’m not the
only one who feels this way. Maybe others
have found meaningful ways to connect to
Selichos. If so, I’d love to hear suggestions.
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, I don’t want

to just go through the motions. I want to con-
nect — with the words, with the tefillos, and

with Hashem.
TP
Vues Master’s Note: Maybe skip some and
focus on just a few with meaning!

MITZVOS
Dear Vues Master:
A badchan (Jewish comedian) once observed
that we’re lucky that Moshe Rabbeinu had
a speech impediment. Otherwise, we might

have ended up with an additional 613 mitz-
vos! JN

Vues Master’s Note: Imagine how
much more reward we could’ve
earned!
VOTING
Dear Vues Master:
In a bizarre twist that could have
major political repercussions,
Zohran Mamdani has announced
that he will be self-deporting to

his native Uganda, sacrificing him-
self by taking the place of Kilmar

Abrego Garcia—a notorious wife beater and

child trafficker—who was supposed to be de-
ported, but expressed fear over being sent to

Uganda.
Progressives are calling this a major win,

since the plan is for Garcia to take over Mam-
dani’s candidacy for Mayor of New York.

None other than Bernie Sanders has publicly
endorsed the maneuver, stating:
“This is HUUUUUUUGE. Truth be told, we
did have some reservations (but not that kind
of ‘reservation’ like Elizabeth ‘Pocahontas’

Warren) about Mamdani’s electability. How-
ever, we confidently expect Garcia to coast

to victory, receiving at least 20 million ille-
gal immigrant votes—even though New York

City has fewer than 6 million registered vot-
ers.”

—MS
Vues Master’s Note: We are doomed!!

HILCHOS SHABBOS
Dear Vues Master:
It really bothers me that when it comes to
opening packages on Shabbos, people seem
to have thrown out the rule book. There’s a

reason the ArtScroll books dedicate full chap-
ters to the topic, food is not an excuse to do

whatever you want!

There are numerous halachos regarding dif-
ferent types of packaging: bottles, cans, con-
tainers, etc. Did you know that opening metal

bottle caps is problematic? Did you know that
many authorities do not permit cracking open
dip containers? Did you know that Ziploc
bags of croutons shouldn’t be ripped open?
I understand that nobody at a shul or simcha
takes the time to prepare beforehand, leaving

all the halachic concerns to the guests or con-
gregants, but that doesn’t mean we can ignore

them. Just as no one would consider using a
sponge or turning off lights on Shabbos, we
must also show respect to this area of Hilchos
Shabbos.
It would be a real shame for someone to live a
life trying to be Shomer Shabbos only to find
out that ignorance in this area compromised
their observance in serious ways.
It’s not difficult to learn the proper way to

open items—or to get into the habit of pre-
paring things properly on Friday. For simcha

events, unless non-Jewish waitstaff are han-
dling everything, it’s the host’s responsibility

to ensure questionable items are either opened

beforehand or opened in a halachically per-
missible way.

We have a big month ahead with the Yomim
Tovim, plenty of time to brush up on these
laws. It’s a great opportunity to start the new
year with more knowledge and care.
KLMY
Vues Master’s Note: We need companies to
keep Shabbos-observant Jews in mind and
make things easier, not harder!

TOCHACHA
Dear Vues Master,
There is a minhag not to stand directly in
front of the ba’al korei, meaning in front of

the bimah while he reads the Tochacha (sec-
tion of rebuke).

Another minhag is that the person who re-
ceives the aliyah before the Tochacha leaves

the bimah immediately after his aliyah, in-
stead of waiting for the conclusion of the fol-
lowing aliyah.

In some shuls, during the year, when the
gabbai wants to give an aliyah to the ba’al
korei, he doesn’t formally call him up with
“Ya’amod Ploni ben Ploni” (let so-and-so
rise), since the reader is already standing at
the bimah. Instead, the gabbai simply points
to him to take the next aliyah.
This practice led to the minhag of giving the
Tochacha aliyah to the ba’al korei, since no
formal calling-up is necessary.
Originally, it was even written into contracts
that the shamash (synagogue caretaker) would
receive the Tochacha aliyah.
The Rema (Rabbi Moshe Isserles) writes that
the Tochacha aliyah should be announced as:
“Ya’amod mi she’yirtzeh” – “Let whoever
wishes come up,” without naming anyone
specifically.
The Mekor Chaim writes that the person who
accepts this aliyah is rewarded with a chiyuv
to receive an aliyah on the first day of Rosh
Hashanah and the first day of Shavuos, a sort

of compensation for taking the difficult Toch-
acha reading.

MF
Vues Master’s Note: Hopefully I’ll get the
Tochacha aliyah, so I can get one on Rosh
Hashanah too!

WAR
Dear Vues Master:
Long before the establishment of the State
of Israel, Rabbi Mordechai Chaim of Slonim

asked an insightful question about the word-
ing in Al Hanisim during Chanukah: Why do

we say “the wicked into the hands of the righ-
teous” and “the mighty into the hands of the

weak”?
“I understand that ‘the mighty into the hands
of the weak’ is a miracle,” he said. “But
what’s miraculous about ‘the wicked into the
hands of the righteous’? Of course the wicked

should fall to the righteous! The real miracle,”
he explained, “is that the righteous—who
usually avoid war—chose to go out and fight
the wicked.” KJ
Vues Master’s Note: An age-old battle indeed!

DMV
Dear Vues Master:
Mousa Mousa! I recently had the pleasure of
visiting the DMV in Staten Island to renew

and upgrade my license. After an hour-and-
a-half wait, my number was finally called at

10:30!
I was already worried about the spelling of
my Jewish name. Is it Moshe or Moishe? (At
least it’s not Mozes… or Louis… shhh!) Don’t
even ask about my last name.
When my turn finally came, I met a gentleman
named Mohammed—from Egypt, no less. He
told me, “We’re neighbors in peace.” I flashed
him the peace sign. As I was leaving, he said
with a grin, “Goodbye, Mousa Mousa!”
Was he calling me chocolate mousse? Hinting
at Elul and Mussar Mussar? As Rabbi Wein
might say—“G-d has a sense of humor!”
RMS Mousa
Vues Master’s Note: Funny story!

LIES
Dear Vues Master,
So Hamas lies, after all.
Reporting on Israel’s elimination of another
senior Hamas terrorist in Gaza on September
1, The New York Times noted in the second
paragraph: “Hamas has rarely acknowledged
the deaths of its leaders in real time, often

taking weeks or months to concede their de-
mise.”

Weeks or months! The Times is, in effect, ad-
mitting that for long periods, Hamas spokes-
men lie—claiming their leaders are alive

when they are in fact dead.
How, then, can we explain this sentence in
the same article, in paragraph thirteen: “More
than 60,000 people, including thousands of

children, have been killed by the Israeli cam-
paign in Gaza, according to local health of-
ficials…”?

These “local health officials” are actually part
of Hamas’s Health Ministry. They serve an

internationally recognized terrorist organiza-
tion, and that context is critical when assess-
ing the reliability of their information.

Terrorist groups routinely lie to the media.
They believe lies are justified to advance their

cause—especially during wartime, when ma-
nipulating international opinion is a powerful

weapon.

In Gaza, Hamas has already been caught ly-
ing repeatedly. Take the October 17, 2023,

incident: Hamas told the media that Israel
bombed the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City,
killing 471 and wounding 342. Major news
outlets reported the claim.
Days later, the truth emerged—even The New

York Times acknowledged it. The explosion
was caused by a misfired Palestinian Islamic
Jihad rocket. The strike hit a parking lot near
the hospital, and the real death toll was in the
dozens, not hundreds.
If that wasn’t enough to cast doubt on Hamas’s

credibility, consider that its spokesmen rou-
tinely deny the Holocaust. Can anything from

a Holocaust-denying source be considered
reliable?

Additionally, Article 32 of Hamas’s char-
ter references The Protocols of the Elders of

Zion—an antisemitic hoax—as “proof” of a

global Jewish conspiracy. Should any state-
ment from such a source be trusted?

And yet, The New York Times still echoes
Hamas’s casualty figures—even in articles

that admit Hamas lies about its own leader-
ship losses. Why?

Part of the reason is that Hamas offers the me-
dia ready-made daily death tolls, while Israel

does not. Israeli officials say the figures are

vastly inflated,but they avoid offering specif-
ic counter-numbers due to the chaos of war.

They’ve learned not to provide figures that
could later be used against them by hostile
media.
Perhaps Israel learned a lesson from Vietnam.

During the Vietnam War, U.S. military offi-
cials often gauged mission success based on

enemy body counts, creating pressure to ex-
aggerate the numbers. Reports of these false

statistics surfaced in the media, especially af-
ter the release of the Pentagon Papers in 1971.

A famous Doonesbury cartoon once mocked
this by showing a commander making up
body counts based on the day’s date.

Years later, Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, re-
flecting on his time in Vietnam, admitted:

“The body count was a big lie.” When supe-
riors asked for numbers, he was told, “Just

make one up.” That’s why, during the Gulf
War in 1991, Schwarzkopf refused to issue
enemy casualty estimates.
Israel’s reluctance is understandable. But by
not filling the information void, it has allowed

Hamas to flood the media with false fig-
ures—numbers that are accepted uncritically

by journalists who either don’t care or don’t
know better. —RM
Vues Master’s Note: I think that story about
Schwarzkopf isn’t even true!

TYLENOL
Dear Vues Master,
As a concerned citizen and parent, I am deeply
troubled by recent news that the Department
of Health and Human Services, under Robert
F. Kennedy Jr., is preparing to release a report

potentially linking prenatal exposure to acet-
aminophen and certain vitamin deficiencies to

autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While any

attempt to investigate the causes of rising au-
tism rates deserves careful scientific scrutiny,

we must tread very cautiously.
Autism diagnoses have indeed increased
dramatically over the past few decades, and
families deserve answers. But prematurely

suggesting a link between widely used medi-
cations like Tylenol and autism, without fully

transparent, peer-reviewed data, risks causing

panic among expectant mothers and under-
mining trust in public health guidance.

Acetaminophen has been a go-to pain reliever

during pregnancy for decades, largely be-
cause it’s considered one of the safer options

when used as directed. If new evidence truly
suggests risks, it should be carefully vetted by
independent experts, not politicized or used to
advance agendas.
Moreover, speculation before the final report’s

release only adds confusion. Autism is a com-
plex condition influenced by genetic and en-
vironmental factors. Simplifying the issue to

a single over-the-counter medication may do
more harm than good by diverting attention
from the broader scientific inquiry needed.
We must demand that HHS uphold the highest
scientific standards and communicate findings
responsibly. Parents deserve clarity, not fear.
Vues Master’s Note: It’s irresponsible fear
mongering that harms parents more than it
helps.