21 Oct 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.
RABBI HAUER ZT”L
Dear Vues Master,
With profound sadness, I write to acknowledge the tre-
mendous loss our community has suffered this past week
with the passing of Rabbi Moshe Hauer, zt”l, Executive
Vice President of the Orthodox Union (OU). Rabbi Hau-
er’s sudden departure leaves a void in Klal Yisrael, as we
have lost a true and inspiring leader.
I had the privilege of knowing Rabbi Hauer personally.
He was always soft-spoken and deeply kind, and when-
ever he spoke to me, I felt that he truly cared. His genuine
warmth and humility were evident in every interaction,
making those around him feel valued and heard. It is dif-
ficult to believe that someone so wise and mature was only
60 years old, a shocking and heartbreaking loss for all of
Klal Yisrael.
Rabbi Hauer was a man of towering scholarship, deeply
respected as a talmid chacham and master teacher. Yet
beyond his vast Torah knowledge, he was a person of ex-
traordinary compassion and devotion to the Jewish people.
His leadership was marked by unwavering dedication, a
vision rooted in faith, and an authentic love for Klal Yis-
rael.
For over 26 years, Rabbi Hauer served as the senior rabbi
of Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation in Baltimore,
pouring himself into building a warm, vibrant community
and addressing the needs of children, families, and those
at risk. When he took on national leadership with the OU
in 2020, he brought the same values and heartfelt commit-
ment to serve the broader Jewish world.
What I found most inspiring about Rabbi Hauer was his
ability to bring Torah into the real world, with seriousness
in communal matters, kindness toward individuals, and
a sincere effort to build bridges within our community.
His legacy lies not only in his teachings but in the way he
cared for and uplifted those around him.
As we mourn his loss, may we honor Rabbi Hauer’s mem-
ory by recommitting ourselves to the values he embodied:
learning, service, unity, humility, and love for Am Yisrael
and Eretz Yisrael.
Yehi Zichro Baruch.
—VB
Vues Master’s Notes: A huge loss for the OU and Klal
Yisrael.
HOW SHOULD I VOTE?
Dear Vues Master,
As a Jewish New Yorker living in Brooklyn, I’m watch-
ing this mayoral race with deep unease. Many of us in the
Jewish community feel increasingly alienated by Zohran
Mamdani’s public statements and positions regarding Is-
rael and Jewish identity. His rhetoric has created real fear
and distrust among Jewish New Yorkers who wonder if he
truly understands — or even values — our place in this
city.
What I can’t understand is how many Jewish New Yorkers
are reportedly planning to vote for Mamdani, according
to recent polls. After everything our community has ex-
perienced, it’s disheartening to see so many overlook the
impact of his words and the message that sends. We can-
not afford to be complacent when it comes to candidates
whose records raise legitimate concerns about their will-
ingness to stand up against antisemitism in all its forms.
New York is home to the largest Jewish population out-
side of Israel. We are woven into the fabric of this city,
its culture, its history, its neighborhoods. Any candidate
for mayor must make a clear, unequivocal commitment to
protecting Jewish New Yorkers and confronting antisemi-
tism wherever it appears. Mamdani has not done that.
I’m not particularly enthusiastic about Andrew Cuomo,
but I recognize that he has the name recognition, experi-
ence, and pragmatism to mount a serious campaign. Curtis
Sliwa, meanwhile, has always struck me as someone who
genuinely cares about the city and the Jewish people, even
if his style is unconventional. I respect his passion and his
connection to everyday New Yorkers. But I also worry that
voting for him could split the vote and hand the race to
someone whose record makes many of us feel unsafe.
This election is forcing Jewish voters into an agonizing
choice: vote our conscience or vote strategically to ensure
that the next mayor will truly protect every community.
Whoever wins, New York deserves a leader who rejects
hate in all its forms and restores this city’s reputation as a
beacon of tolerance, not division. —IW
Vues Master’s Notes: They say Jews would vote for Hitler
if he ran as a Democrat!!
MISTAKE
Dear Vues Master,
Someone said in a previous issue that the mayoral election
in November is going to be ranked-choice
voting. That is not true! Only the primary
is ranked-choice. Your vote really matters
for the one candidate you can choose, and if
anyone has any sense, they’ll unfortunately
have to vote for Cuomo. Curtis can’t win —
there are too many brainwashed left-wingers
in this city who will never vote red no mat-
ter what. If you don’t understand that fact,
then you’re living in a bubble. The only way
to beat the pro-Hamas candidate is to rally
around the only candidate who has a shot at
beating him.
—Captain Avious
Vues Master’s Notes: The mistake is that
Mamdani is going to win and destroy our
city! Too little, too late!
MUST READ
Dear Vues Master,
I recently finished Hostage by Eli Sharabi,
and I can say without hesitation it’s one of
the most powerful, soul-shaking books I’ve
ever read. Please, go find a copy. This book
will move you, challenge you, and change
the way you see what it means to endure.
Eli wasn’t a public figure or a soldier. He was
a husband and father from Kibbutz Be’eri,
living an ordinary, peaceful life — until the
morning of October 7, 2023. That day, ter-
rorists invaded his home, murdered his wife,
Lianne, and their daughters, Noiya (16) and
Yahel (13), and dragged him, barefoot and
bleeding, into Gaza. He spent 491 days there
— nearly a year and a half — facing starva-
tion, beatings, and despair. Yet he held on to
one promise: he would survive.
What makes Hostage extraordinary is how
raw it is. Eli wrote it almost immediately
after being freed, before the wounds —
physical or emotional — had time to heal.
The words come straight from the darkness
he lived through. He describes the filth, the
hunger, the fear, but also the astonishing mo-
ments of faith: whispering blessings over a
cup of water on Friday nights, finding one
small good thing each day even when none
seemed to exist.
This book is more than a testimony of sur-
vival, it’s a mirror of the human spirit. Eli
writes, “I am no longer the old Eli. I am Eli
the survivor.” That truth stays with you.
In a time when the world grows numb to suf-
fering, Hostage demands that we remember.
It’s painful, it’s beautiful, and it’s absolutely
necessary. Read it — and let it remind you of
the strength still burning in all of us.
—MT
Vues Master’s Notes: Yet we’ll still hear
lefties saying it’s “resistance.” What a crazy
country.
THANK YOU
Dear Vues Master,
We give thanks to Hakadosh Baruch Hu and
to the brave men and women who made pos-
sible the safe return of twenty hostages. I of-
fer my deepest gratitude to the Israel Defense
Forces, to President Donald Trump and Jared
Kushner for their statesmanship, and to Mr.
Steve Witkoff for his role in facilitating the
agreement. Their courage, persistence, and
commitment to human life remind us what
unity and moral clarity can accomplish.
These twenty families have endured un-
imaginable pain; their loved ones’ return is
a moment of profound relief and thanksgiv-
ing for our community and nation. We must
continue to honor the sacrifices of those who
served, the diplomats and intermediaries who
negotiated, and the countless volunteers who
sustained those held captive through prayer
and advocacy.
Yet we must be sober about the future. This
exchange does not signal an end to the con-
flict. As long as Hamas remains an active
force, the existential threat to the Jewish peo-
ple and Eretz Yisrael persists. We cannot be
lulled into complacency or hope that a single,
even miraculous, outcome will resolve deep-
rooted enmity or terrorism. Vigilance, robust
defense, and international political resolve
remain essential.
To that end, Israel should seriously consider
implementing capital pun-
ishment for all terrorists,
as advocated by Minister
Itamar Ben Gvir. Such a
policy would serve as a
strong deterrent and could
prevent countless future
killings, sending a clear
message that acts of ter-
ror will be met with the
utmost consequence.
Let this moment strength-
en our resolve: to care for
the returned, to remember
the missing, and to press
for a durable peace that
protects Jewish life and
Israel’s security. May Hakadosh Baruch Hu
watch over those who returned and continue
to safeguard all innocents in this land. We
give thanks today and prepare for the strug-
gle that remains ahead.
—TY
Vues Master’s Notes: Just say Mizmor Le-
Soda with kavanah!
SILENCE
Dear Vues Master,
As a Democrat, I am profoundly grateful to
President Donald J. Trump for spearheading
a hostage deal that brings an end to the con-
flict. I can only wonder why the “Cease Fire
Now” terrorist sympathizers, who have been
vandalizing shuls, harassing Jewish students,
and spreading hatred and division, are sud-
denly silent. You never really wanted peace.
You just needed an excuse to attack the Jew-
ish state and target the Jewish people.
—Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein
Vues Master’s Notes: Keep on wondering!
LESSONS FROM THE DAF IN
KEDOSHIM ON HOW TO VOTE IN
OUR TIMES
Some people, if not most, who are generally
familiar with the Talmud take it for granted
that those of us who seek guidance in the Tal-
mud for our everyday lives will have a hard
time finding such guidance in the Daf Yomi
these days, especially considering that we do
not live in the era of the Beis HaMikdash.
After all, Mesechta Zevachim (Sacrifices)
begins Seder Kodshim (Holy Things) and
deals primarily with the sacrificial system of
the Beis HaMikdash in Jerusalem—namely,
the laws governing four-legged animals and
two-legged birds, and the conditions that de-
termine whether they are acceptable as offi-
cial sacrifices, particularly as discussed in the
book of Vayikra.
It would seem to be the height of optimism
(to use a euphemism—some would say lu-
nacy) to find guidance here for everyday life
nearly two thousand years after the destruc-
tion of the Second Beis HaMikdash. It seems
even more far-fetched to find in it guidance
about what may be the most pressing issue of
our time for people in the Diaspora: the elec-
tion for mayor of the city with more Jews and
more Jewish influence than any other city in
the world outside of Israel.
This article does not touch on any of the can-
didates or the issues espoused by them, and
it respects the views of every reader. Rather,
it points out that a page in the Talmud (Ze-
vachim 21), which we studied right before
the Succos holiday, provides guidance re-
garding the voting process, not merely in one
way, but in three ways!
The first involves the Tzedukim (Sadducees),
who were known for adhering strictly to the
Written Torah while rejecting the Oral Torah.
They rose to power during the Hasmonean
dynasty and, at their height, held significant
control over the Beis HaMikdash and its
functions. That may seem even more distant
from relevance to Torah-observant Jews to-
day—but wait. Here is where the discussion
in the Talmud becomes surprisingly relevant.
It appears even more remote at first glance,
since it involves the rite of the Parah Adumah
(Red Heifer), which tradition teaches has ap-
peared only ten times in human history, the
final one to come in the era of Moshiach.
The Talmud describes this extremely rare
procedure in detail and notes that the priest
who burned the Red Heifer became ritually
impure and had to immerse immediately af-
terward. This was done publicly to correct a
misconception of the Tzedukim, who claimed
that the ritual could only be performed by one
whose impurity had fully ended—that is, af-
ter sunset. The priests therefore immersed
and performed the ritual during the day to
demonstrate that this belief was mistaken.
From this, we can learn that when we be-
lieve something to be true, we should make
it known so that others are not misled by mis-
conceptions. Likewise, no matter our views
in the New York mayoral race, we should
make our positions known clearly so that oth-
ers do not vote based on misunderstandings.
A second Talmudic discussion on this same
page concerns the lowering of the kior (the
basin). According to Rabbi Yochanan, the
water in the basin was not disqualified unless
it was raised at the break of dawn. Neverthe-
less, the rabbis issued a gezeirah requiring
that the basin be lowered all night so that the
kohanim would not forget and accidentally
raise it too early.
The lesson for this election season is simple:
take precautions not to forget to vote. Avoid
last-minute distractions or emergencies by
voting early on Election Day—or even ear-
lier, if possible.
Finally, a third lesson. Some priests could
perform certain functions only after another
priest operated a pulley mechanism during
the night. Instead of waiting passively until
morning, they would remain alert through the
night, listening for the sound of the wooden
pulley so they could begin their tasks at the
very first opportunity.
We, too, as voters, should not wait until Elec-
tion Day to inform ourselves about the can-
didates’ positions. Rather, we should take the
first opportunity to learn about their views,
share that information and our analysis with
others, and vote as early as possible.
The bottom line: Although the Talmudic
discussions on this page concern rare rituals
from thousands of years ago, they still offer
timeless lessons that can guide us as Jews and
as American citizens especially now, in the
weeks leading up to the election.
The writer has won a variety of elections
as a student and graduate student, appreci-
ates every vote cast, and takes no position in
this article as to how one should vote in the
New York mayoral election or any other race.
However, he is passionate about the need to
publicize the truth about the candidates and
their positions, past and present, and to share
this information widely before voting ac-
cordingly.
Rabbi Aaron I. Reichel, Esq.
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks for your Talmu-
dic discourse!
QUICK MONEY
Dear Vues Master,
I’m mamish beyond amazed at what the Los
Angeles Dodgers have pulled off with their
shtickel investment in Shohei Ohtani. When
the news first broke that they were giving
him a mind-boggling $700 million over ten
years, most of us thought, “Nu, gevalt, who’s
worth that kind of gelt?” But would you be-
lieve it, just a year later, they already made
back every penny and then some!
It almost sounds like a bubbe maise, but
when you think about it, it makes perfect
sense. Ohtani isn’t stam a ballplayer, he’s a
whole metzius! He can hit, he can pitch, he
does it all, and on top of that, he’s got the
middos to match. The Dodgers didn’t just
sign a player; they got themselves a walking
kiddush Hashem for baseball (lehavdil).
Since he came aboard, ticket sales shot up
like a cholent pot before Shabbos, the mer-
ch is flying off the shelves faster than dan-
ishes at a kiddush, and the worldwide hype,
oy vey! Even the fans in Japan are wearing
Dodger blue like it’s Yom Tov.
At the end of the day, it’s a chizuk to all of us,
when true talent meets real opportunity, ev-
eryone gains. The player’s happy, the owners
are kvelling, and the whole league is danc-
ing. This wasn’t just a baseball contract, it
was a masterclass in vision, branding, and
global shtadlanus.
The Dodgers didn’t just buy a player, they
invested in a whole sugya of success. And
now? They’re mamish rolling in simcha (and
profits) faster than you can say “Go Dodg-
ers!”
TS
Vues Master’s Notes: Forget crypto! Ohtani’s
the best investment since Yosef HaTzaddik
stored up grain in Mitzrayim. The Dodgers
are laughing all the way to the World Series,
and the bank!
CD REVIEW
Dear Vues Master:
My friends were already telling me on Rosh
Hashanah to get Benny Friedman’s latest
USB album, Be Gebentched! It features 13
incredible songs, arranged by the spectacular
Doni Gross. Of course, Benny sings along-
side some of my favorites, Hershy Weinberg-
er and Baruch Levine.
The album kicks off with a bang: a power-
ful opening track composed by Ari Goldwag,
“L’Olam Va’ed” (the same composer who
wrote Benny’s career-launching hit Yesh
Tikva). Hashem Yimloch L’Olam Va’ed is
upbeat and catchy — I find myself drumming
on the dashboard throughout the album (and
sometimes honking my horn!).
Benny, I love the vibrant and colorful album
cover and booklet design!
Track 2 features the Shir V’Shevach Choir
alongside the international Yedidim Choir.
Arrangements throughout the album are by
Yisroel Lamm, Suki Berry, Moshe Laufer,
and of course, Doni Gross. Musicians in-
clude Danny Flam (NYC Brass), Avi Sin-
golda and Nachman Dreyer on guitar, Avi
Avidani on drums, Ari Volnitz on bass, and
Aharon Gotfried and Benny Laufer on piano.
There’s also banjo, mandolin, bouzouki, Zur-
na, French horn, flute, saxophone, and even
the Ukraine Symphony! Let’s not forget the
Zimra Choir.
Track 3, composed by the great Yitzy Wald-
ner, is titled We Want to Sing with You, We
Want to Dance with You. It’s absolutely
stunning — gorgeous and heartfelt. Truly
heartzig.
The fourth song is the title track, Be Ge-
bentched, composed by Yitzy Waldner and
Hershy Weinberger. Get your dancing shoes
ready — this one’s a hora hit! It’s perfect for
weddings and concerts. Start snapping, clap-
ping, and dancing!
Track 5, Ah Tova Far Ah Yid, was composed
by my favorite, Hershy Weinberger. It’s a
soulful song that comes straight from the
neshama. I love when Hershy sings together
with Benny, it’s incredibly moving. Expect
to be brought to tears.
Track 6 will be a camp favorite for sure: Boo-
gie Woogie Go Meshoogie! The title says it
all. Benny, I’m meshuga over your album!
Composed by Benny and Doni, this song is
“meshuga good.” We want Moshiach now!
Track 7, Ein Od Milvado, composed by Eli
Klein, has an addictive tune, really catchy
and enjoyable.
Track 8 is Bar Papa, sung by Baruch Levine.
I’m sure this one will become a favorite at a
siyum. Mazel Tov! I can already see myself
dancing at the next Siyum HaShas. Benny
and Baruch sound fantastic together — gesh-
mak, gevaldig, moredig!
Track 9, U’V’eoso Zman, arranged by the
masterful Yisroel Lamm, is a beautifully
pleasant song that grows on you with each
listen. Benny dedicated this song in honor of
his Rebbe, ZT”L.
Track 10 is Oy Vey, composed by Benny and
Doni. Benny pours his heart into this one,
singing in a Sfaradi-Israeli havara. You’ll be
drumming on your fridge, guaranteed. Oy
Vey!
Track 11, Kodesh Kadashim, composed by
the always-amazing Hershy Weinberger (ev-
erything he touches turns to gold!), is deeply
emotional and stirring. It was arranged by
Suki Berry and mixed by Mendy Friedman.
When Hershy and Benny sing together, it’s
phenomenal.
Track 12, Thinking About Thanking, is a
clever and heartfelt song about hakaras hatov
— thanking Hashem. Composed by Nachum
Levitan.
Other talented composers on the album in-
clude: Yochanan Gordon, Rabbi Menachem
Nordman, Elchonon Asuel, Yoni Keysar,
Chaimish, and Rabbi Mottel Friedman.
The final track, Ir HaKodesh Yerushalayim,
composed and arranged by superstar Moshe
Laufer, is a powerful way to close out this
incredible album. What a way to end!
Benny & Doni, I’m absolutely crazy about
this album, and about my fellow Jews! Be
Gebentched, both of you!
Thank you,
RMS
Vues Master’s Note: Why do I feel this is an
advertisement! Pay for an ad please!
THE VICE PRESIDENT
Dear Vues Master
In just a short time as Vice President, JD
Vance has shown leadership that is both
strong and compassionate, and his recent trip
to Israel is a powerful example of that. At a
moment when the U.S.-brokered ceasefire in
Gaza is under tremendous strain, Vice Presi-
dent Vance arrived in the region to help keep
fragile peace efforts from falling apart. This
is not an easy mission, violence and heart-
break have continued, but Vance has stepped
up to represent the United States with clarity,
determination, and empathy.
His decision to meet directly with Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, top U.S.
envoys, and other regional leaders demon-
strates a hands-on approach to diplomacy.
By holding these meetings on the ground,
not just from Washington, he is showing the
world that the United States is committed to
a long-term peace, not just quick fixes.
Equally important is his decision to meet
with the families of hostages, both those
still being held and those who have been
released. That kind of personal engagement
matters. It humanizes this complex conflict
and shows that American leadership can bal-
ance security concerns with compassion for
those most affected.
Vance’s actions signal that the United States
will not walk away from difficult situations.
Instead, he is helping keep channels of com-
munication open at a time when that’s des-
perately needed. His diplomacy and calm
presence have the potential to save lives and
build trust in a region where trust is in short
supply.
Vice President Vance is also demonstrating a
strong and constructive working relationship
with President Trump. Their close coordina-
tion underscores a united American message
abroad, one that blends Vance’s calm, dip-
lomatic touch with Trump’s bold, decisive
leadership style. This partnership not only
strengthens U.S. influence on the world stage
but also reassures allies and adversaries alike
that American leadership is aligned and fo-
cused.
Vice President Vance is proving to be a
steady hand in a challenging world. His lead-
ership in Israel this week is exactly the kind
of principled, practical statesmanship our na-
tion and the world need right now.
Vues Masters Note: Will he be the next presi-
dent?
LOWER THE VOLUME
Dear Vues Master
I have noticed a growing trend at many
simchas, especially chasunas, that I feel is
worth addressing. In recent years, the music
at these events has become so loud that it’s
nearly impossible to hold a normal conver-
sation. Weddings are meant to be joyous oc-
casions where friends and family can come
together, reconnect, and celebrate. Yet too
often, guests find themselves shouting just to
be heard, straining their voices, or giving up
entirely on talking to the people at their table.
Many of us look forward to these events as
opportunities to spend time with relatives we
don’t often see, or to meet new people. In-
stead, the deafening volume of the band or
DJ makes that connection almost impossible.
I’ve seen elderly guests cover their ears,
young children frightened by the noise, and
countless conversations cut short.
This isn’t about taking away the simcha or
dampening the joy. Music and dancing are a
beautiful part of our celebrations. But there’s
a big difference between lively music and
ear-splitting noise. Lowering the volume
would allow guests to enjoy both the dancing
and each other’s company.
I urge families, simcha planners, and musi-
cians to be more thoughtful. Let’s create
an atmosphere where people can celebrate
together, without leaving with sore throats
or ringing ears. Joy doesn’t need to be mea-
sured in decibels.
Vues Masters Note: I couldn’t agree more!