09 Dec 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.

CHANUKAH
Dear Vues Master:

Chanukah has always been my favorite holiday. Its mes-
sage of light in the face of darkness, resilience against

overwhelming odds, and the miracle of spiritual endur-
ance has inspired me since childhood. The warm glow of

the menorah, the songs we sing, and the stories we re-
tell remind us of what it means to uphold our traditions

proudly.

But in recent years, I feel that the true essence of Chanu-
kah has been overshadowed by commercialization. What

was once a modest celebration of faith and freedom has

increasingly become about presents, flashy toys, and ex-
pensive trends. Even the classic sufganiyot have turned

into overpriced gourmet items.
While creativity isn’t bad, the pressure to spend distracts
from the core meaning of the holiday. Instead of focusing
on the miracle of the oil, the victory of the Maccabees,
and the enduring value of religious freedom, families feel
compelled to keep up with material expectations.
I hope we can return to what truly matters: the light we
bring into the world, the faith we renew each year, and

the meaningful time we share with family and commu-
nity. The beauty of Chanukah lies not in gifts, but in its

message.
RLP
Vues Master’s Note: Nu, what gift am I getting?

COLUMBIA
Dear Vues Master:
Columbia University’s newly announced $21 million
claims fund for Jewish employees is being presented as

institutional reflection. But let’s be honest: this only hap-
pened because the Trump administration forced Colum-
bia’s hand. After months of disturbing reports of Jewish

students and staff being harassed — being told to “go

back to Poland,” being excluded, and facing an admin-
istration that federal investigators said acted with “de-
liberate indifference” — the university still did nothing

meaningful until hundreds of millions of dollars in federal
funding were frozen.
Only then did Columbia suddenly discover urgency. Now
it is rolling out compensation programs, antisemitism
training, oversight coordinators, and procedural reforms.

But none of this feels like remorse — it feels like com-
pliance. It feels like Columbia simply did the minimum

required to restore its grants and contracts, not because
it truly reckoned with the harm Jews endured during the
campus unrest after October 7.
A university that sincerely regrets its failures would not
have waited for the Department of Education to conclude
it mishandled complaints. It would not have waited until

$400 million in funding was cut before admitting its disci-
plinary system allowed repeated harassment to continue.

Instead, Columbia acted only under political pressure and
financial consequences.
The new fund may provide overdue relief, but it does not
reflect heartfelt accountability, only necessity. And that
says everything.
MT
Vues Master’s Note: Too little, too late!

SONG
Dear Vues Master:
I’ve always loved Chanukah songs for their melodies and
the way they capture the holiday’s spirit. But lately I’m
concerned about the direction new Chanukah songs are
taking. They increasingly sound like secular pop music,
rather than distinctly Jewish melodies.
Music carries meaning and identity. When Chanukah
songs mimic secular trends, they lose the qualities that

make them recognizably Jewish. Children and adults be-
gin hearing songs that could fit into any holiday playlist,

weakening the connection to Chanukah’s story and spirit.

Innovation is good, but we must maintain identity. Com-
posers should create songs that are lively yet unmistak-
ably Jewish. Chanukah music should evoke the holiday’s

unique meaning — not follow generic pop trends.
RS
Vues Master’s Note: Shiros v’sishbachos!

TUNES
Dear Vues Master:
I’m concerned about a growing trend in Jewish music:

combining verses from Tanach with commentary or un-
related pesukim just to make a song flow. For example, a

song last week combined “Im Lavan garti” with “Taryag

mitzvos shamarti.” But “Im Lavan garti” is from the To-
rah, and “Taryag mitzvos shamarti” is Rashi, not the same

verse.

This misleads listeners, especially children

or beginners, who might think the Torah ac-
tually phrases ideas this way.

Music is beautiful and powerful, but we
must maintain accuracy when quoting holy

texts. We can be creative while still respect-
ing the integrity of Tanach.

TW
Vues Master’s Note: Just name that tune!

DRUNK
Dear Vues Master:

A Torah scholar was once asked why peo-
ple say “drunk like Lot” instead of “drunk

like Noach,” who preceded him. He an-
swered: “Noach had grown sons. But Lot

had daughters who still needed matches —
and he still got drunk. That shows he was
truly a drunk.”
LP Vues Master’s Note: We say “drunk like
a skunk”! Not sure why. Anyone know?

DEAD
Dear Vues Master:
I’m writing regarding the news of Levi
Aron’s death. After more than a decade

since he murdered 8-year-old Leiby Kletz-
ky, the relief and sense of justice at knowing

he’s no longer alive cannot be overstated.
His crimes were unspeakable and shattered
not only a child’s life but the safety of an
entire community.
Although no death can undo the trauma,
there is closure in knowing he is gone. For
the family and the community, this marks
the end of a dark chapter.
While it’s generally inappropriate to rejoice
at another’s death, in cases like this —

where the individual committed unimagi-
nable evil, feelings of relief are natural.

May Leiby’s memory continue to inspire

efforts to protect children and support fami-
lies.

MY
Vues Master’s Note: Tragic! No words. Sad
all around.

NEW SHUL
Dear Vues Master:
A New Shacharis Minyan for
Young Men in Flatbush
If you are an older single or a
newly married man, keep reading.
I married recently and moved to
Flatbush near my wife’s nursing
school. With no family roots here, I

often feel a lack of community, es-
pecially in shul. A shul is not only a

place for prayer but also a center of
community.
Shul options for young men are

limited. Minyan factories are ef-
ficient but lack community. Estab-
lished shuls are welcoming but of-
ten have long-standing structures that make

newcomers feel peripheral.
Now there is a new minyan forming, a place
where young men can have not just a seat,
but a community of peers. Once enough
people commit, we will begin meeting for

Shacharis at 7:30 AM, Sunday through Fri-
day, at Sasregen Sokolov (1279 E 24th St.,

Brooklyn).
The Talmud teaches that the first ten who

arrive to a minyan receive the reward of ev-
eryone who comes after. How much more

so for those who establish a minyan!

If you’d like to join, email thechevramin-
yan@gmail.com or call/text (949) 491-

4671.
Zev Levin
Vues Master’s Note: Sounds good! Every
minute, a new shul opens!

JUDGE
Dear Vues Master:
A young Israeli man was caught robbing

a bank. When the judge asked why, he ex-
plained that his mother was gravely ill and

needed a medical procedure costing 30,000
shekels. They couldn’t afford it, and no one
would help. His choice was either to lose
his mother or steal the money.
The judge reprimanded him harshly and
sentenced him to two months in jail.
Then, after delivering the sentence, the

judge called him over privately and hand-
ed him a check for 30,000 shekels for his

mother’s operation.
Mi k’amcha Yisrael!
BH
Vues Master’s Note: A great judge! The
problem is most judges are activists and
liberals spending your money, not theirs!

ADAMS
Dear Vues Master:
I want to express appreciation for Mayor

Eric Adams’ recent executive orders com-
batting antisemitism and preventing NYC

resources from supporting the BDS move-
ment. In a polarized era, his actions reflect

commitment to protecting the Jewish com-
munity and strengthening the NYC–Israel

relationship.

His directive ensures that city agencies can-
not make discriminatory investment or con-
tracting decisions. This reinforces fairness

and rejects politicization.
Equally important, his second directive
strengthens protection for synagogues and

houses of worship. With rising threats na-
tionwide, his emphasis on safety shows

leadership.
Though the incoming administration may

change direction, Mayor Adams’ actions re-
mind us that combating antisemitism must

transcend politics.
RTP
Vues Master’s Note: Just wait, we’ll miss
Mayor Adams!

CELL PHONES
Dear Vues Master:
I saw this in my email and had to share it!

The clocks had gone back an hour, and Lar-
ry (Leibel to everyone outside his immedi-
ate family) started getting nervous.

The change to standard time meant one
thing to Leibel: the father-and-son learning
program, Avos U’Banim, was beginning
again on Motzaei Shabbos — and he was
dreading it.
Leibel became observant at age 28. His
Hebrew textual skills were minimal at best.
He couldn’t navigate a page of Gemara and
never remembered which column belonged
to Rashi.
Since his children entered yeshiva, he

struggled through homework using Eng-
lish translations. When he learned with his

sixth-grade son Dovid at home, he used an
English Gemara. But Dovid begged him
not to bring the English Gemara to Avos
U’Banim, afraid he’d be teased for having
the “only father” who needed one.
Motzaei Shabbos arrived, and Leibel began
to sweat. The idea of learning Gemara in a
room with 75 loud boys reciting Chumash
and Gemara at full volume intimidated him.
When he arrived in shul, he noticed
many fathers using English Gemaras.

Dovid’s fear of humiliation was un-
founded — but that only helped for next

week. He still had to survive this one.
They found a seat. Immediately, raffle
tickets flew everywhere — raffles for
food, seforim, even an electric bike.
Dovid began reading the Gemara before

Leibel even figured out the page num-
ber.

One boy came over asking if they had
to review the shtickel Torah their rebbi
quoted from Rav Chaim Brisker.

Leibel had never heard of Rav Chaim

Brisker. He wondered if “Brisker” was re-
lated to the makers of Brisk Iced Tea. He

also had no idea what a shtickel Torah was

— he knew what Torah was, but what ex-
actly was a “piece of Torah”?

At the end came the main raffle (after the
E-bike): a biography of a man named Reb
Baruch Ber.
Leibel pondered the name “Ber.” The only
Ber he knew was college football coach
Paul “Bear” Bryant. Surely they weren’t
raffling his biography in a yeshiva.
As the boys left with pizza, doughnuts, and
melting ice cream, Leibel was convinced he
had embarrassed his son.
In the car he shyly asked, “Dovid, did you
have a good time?”
He expected Dovid to say the food was
good.
But instead, Dovid said, “Yes — it was the
best night of my week.”
Leibel was shocked. “What was so great?”

Dovid looked at him and said, with the in-
nocence of an 11-year-old:

“For the first time all week, I didn’t have to
share you with your phone.”
If you’d like to support Ahavas Israel, click
here. “If not now, when?” — Hillel

Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman Congrega-
tion Ahavas Israel, Passaic, NJ

LK Vues Master’s Note: Great letter!
Thanks for sharing!

STRANGE SEDER
Dear Vues Master:
At the Passover Seder, an uneducated man
began beating his chest and reciting Al Chet
(the Yom Kippur confession). Those at the
table asked why he was saying Al Chet at
a Seder.
Pointing to a Yom Kippur machzor lying on
the table, he said: “It says right here: ‘And
say Al Chet in order (al ha-seder).’”
KJ
Vues Master’s Note: Ha! Ha!

TOEAMEHU
Dear Vues Master:
Everyone is speaking out against Toameha,
while plenty of wine is going around. I just

want to share my two cents. I’m not talk-
ing about people who get drunk and drive,

that’s dangerous. I’m talking about what’s
advertised as Toameha these days, where
for a set price you get:
– gefilte fish with chrein – chicken soup

with matzah balls, noodles, rice, and crou-
tons – chopped liver – sautéed liver with

coleslaw – potato salad – gallah – ptcha
– assorted cold cuts – VIP cholent with
kishke – sourdough challah – drinks (diet
soda, of course)

Who can eat afterward for Shabbos?
Oops — I forgot the potato, lokshen,
Yerushalmi, salt-and-pepper kugels!
Toameha!
RMS
Vues Master’s Note: No wonder we are so
obese!

ZIONISM
Dear Vues Master:
Today’s generation seems so confused
about Zionism that people barely know
who they’re supposed to support or oppose.
This confusion has created unnecessary

strife that could be avoided with clearer ex-
planations.

Theodor Herzl strongly disliked Torah and
Judaism. He refused to give his son a bris
and named him Hans. Wanting no Jewish
education for his children, he sent them to
a local church.
Herzl “invented” the idea—already present
throughout the Chumash—that Jews should
have a homeland. But he didn’t care if that
homeland was in Uganda or Zimbabwe.

Fast forward to 1948. Leaders like Ben-
Gurion, Shimon Peres, Golda Meir, and

Yitzchak Rabin—coming from communist

environments—sought to build a com-
pletely secular state. They wanted a Jew-
ish refuge from antisemitism, but without

shuls, yeshivas, Shabbos, kosher laws, or
mikvahs.

Their secular ideology continues to influ-
ence many of Israel’s institutions: courts,

universities, media, labor unions, and parts
of the army. That’s why you frequently
hear about bans on gender-separate events,
Shabbos bus proposals, and cuts to yeshiva
funding.
The Zohar says that before Moshiach, the
land will be controlled by the Erev Rav.
Still, many of us are “Zionist” in the Torah

sense—we believe the Land of Israel is G-
d-given and the ideal place for mitzvos.

Tzion appears throughout our prayers.
May we merit the end of harsh decrees
and see the land returned to those who fear
Hashem.
KLMY

Vues Master’s Note: Let’s see how this dis-
pute ends up!

DREAMS
Dear Vues Master:
According to the Chizkuni and other early
commentators, Yosef had three dreams.
The Bartenura writes that Yosef’s first

dream involved ten candles unable to extin-
guish one candle (Megillah 16b). The Torah

omits this because it didn’t come true—the
brothers did harm Yosef.
This explains why it says “Vayosefu al
chalomotav” (“they added because of his
dreams”) in plural, even though only one
dream was detailed.
MF
Vues Master’s Note: Dreams can come
true!

DREAMER
Dear Vues Master:
In the 1940s, while Nazis were murdering
Jews in Europe, Rabbi Yitzchak Herzog zt”l
visited Bnei Brak and met the Ponovezher
Rav zt”l.
The Ponovezher Rav pointed to a hill and

said he planned to build a yeshiva for hun-
dreds of students there.

Rabbi Herzog replied with one word:
“Dreams.”
The Ponovezher Rav answered: “One may
dream, but one may not sleep.”
LK

Vues Master’s Note: Sounds like an Avra-
ham Fried song!

ACADEMIC
Dear Vues Master:
Devorah went out of town for her friend’s

wedding. Her husband called asking what
washing machine setting to use for his
sweatshirt. “It depends on the fabric,” she
said. “What does the label say?” He replied:
“Harvard University.”
OL
Vues Master’s Note: No wonder there’s so
much antisemitism, these college people
are just plain stupid!

BRUCE IS RUNNING FOR
GOVERNOR
Dear Vues Master,
I couldn’t be more thrilled to learn that
Bruce Blakeman is stepping forward as a
candidate for Governor of New York. His
leadership experience and commitment
to fiscal responsibility give me hope for a
brighter future for our state. He’s done a

great job in Nassau County, and it’s encour-
aging to see someone with his credentials

offering voters a new option — a candidate
who, I believe, can bring the fresh ideas and
energy New York desperately needs.
That said, I feel a bit conflicted. I also very
much support Elise Stefanik and admire the
strong voice she brings to the public arena

on behalf of upstate communities and con-
servative values. Her dedication to repre-
senting her constituents shouldn’t be under-
stated. My concern is that Blakeman’s run

could unintentionally divide support among
like-minded voters, potentially weakening
the broader effort to elect a governor who

will challenge the policies of the incum-
bent.

One thing that is great is that all three of
these candidates are pro-Jewish and will
strongly oppose Mamdani.
One thing is crystal clear: I do not want a
continuation of the leadership under the

current governor, Kathleen Hochul. Her re-
cord, in my view, undermines the economic

and social foundations of our state. I daven
that voters come together, wisely weighing
their options, to advance a candidate who
upholds individual liberties, strengthens
job growth, and restores common-sense
governance. Whether that ends up being
Blakeman or Stefanik, I only hope we avoid
splintered support that could allow
the status quo to continue.
BT
Vues Master’s Note: Let’s just hope
another socialist doesn’t join the race.

HUGE KIDDUSH HASHEM
Dear Vues Master
I would like to express my profound

admiration regarding the recent de-
cision by Neta Levin to cancel the

planned Chanukah concert after con-
sulting with Gedolei Yisrael. At a

time when financial pressures and public
expectations can so easily cloud judgment,
his choice to place Daas Torah above all

else is nothing short of a tremendous Kid-
dush Hashem.

In a world that constantly promotes per-
sonal gain, comfort, and popularity, seeing

someone willingly incur significant finan-
cial loss—reimbursing 7,000 tickets, no

less—solely to uphold the guidance of our

Rabbanim is deeply inspiring. Levin’s pub-
lic statement, emphasizing that “just as one

receives reward for acting, so one receives
reward for refraining,” beautifully captures

the essence of true yiras Shamayim and loy-
alty to Torah leadership.

His attitude of humility, describing himself
and his team as “dust at their feet,” serves
as a powerful reminder of what it means to
live with sincere respect for our spiritual
leaders. Such actions strengthen the fabric
of our community and send a message that
Torah values remain paramount, even when
they require sacrifice.

The respectful apology offered to the thou-
sands of disappointed ticket holders shows

genuine care for the tzibbur, while simulta-
neously affirming that adherence to Gedolei

Yisrael is the highest priority. This balance

of responsibility, sensitivity, and unwaver-
ing commitment to halachic guidance is

something we should all aspire to emulate.
This episode stands as a shining example of

Kiddush Hashem in its purest form—pub-
lic, principled, and rooted in deep emunah.

May we merit many more such uplifting
displays of honor for Shem Shamayim.
Vues Master’s Note: Mi Kamcha Yisrael!