17 Mar 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.
REB YAAKOV
Dear Vues Master:
This week marks the 40th yahrtzeit of Rabbi Yaakov Ka-
menetsky, a towering figure whose life and character continue
to inspire the Torah world, and whose absence is still deeply felt.
Even four decades after his passing, many still speak about how
much Reb Yaakov is missed: his clarity, his humility, and his
steady guidance that once served as a compass for so many indi-
viduals and communities.
Born on the 21st day of Adar in the town of Koloshova, Reb
Yaakov’s life was shaped by hashgachah from the very begin-
ning. After his grandfather lost his livelihood due to a decree
of the Russian Czar, the family moved to the small village of
Dolhinov. Reb Yaakov later remarked that this move changed
the course of his life, placing him in a village where the beis
medrash hummed with Torah learning even in the early hours
of the morning. Those sights and sounds ignited in him an en-
during love of Torah. By the age of eleven he was studying in
Minsk, where his determination was already evident. When the
rosh yeshiva hesitated to accept someone so young, Reb Yaakov
responded with disarming innocence: he had come “to learn, not
to be the tenth man for a minyan.” His journey later led him to
Slobodka under Nosson Tzvi Finkel, together with fellow stu-
dents such as Aharon Kotler.
After arriving in America in 1937, Reb Yaakov became one of
the great guiding lights of American Torah Jewry, eventually
serving as rosh yeshiva at Yeshiva Torah Vodaath. His greatness,
however, was felt most in his warmth and sensitivity toward ev-
ery Jew. Living the teachings of Yisrael Salanter, he exemplified
loving every person and drawing them closer to Torah.
Forty years later, the Torah world still feels the void left by Reb
Yaakov’s passing. His wisdom, kindness, and gentle leadership
are profoundly missed, and his legacy continues to guide those
who seek the path of Torah and menschlichkeit. RYY
Vues Master’s Note: Amazing letter!
TRAVELING THROUGH EGYPT
Dear Editor,
I feel compelled to write regarding a matter that troubles me
deeply. Every year, as we sit around the Seder table and celebrate
Pesach, we proclaim with joy, “Dayeinu!”, it would have been
enough if Hashem had brought us out of Mitzrayim. Pesach is,
at its core, a Yom Tov that celebrates leaving Mitzrayim, leav-
ing chutz la’aretz, and returning to Eretz Yisrael. Chazal teach
us that the journey to Hashem is, first and foremost, a journey
back to our land—a return to the place where we can serve Him
properly.
And yet, I am puzzled by all the people who left Eretz Yisrael
over the past two weeks to travel to America—and chose to
go through Egypt in the process. Why? Why abandon the holy
soil of our forefathers rather than remain in or return to Eretz
Yisrael? Traveling through Mitzrayim is fraught with danger,
spiritual challenge, and confusion. Yet some made that journey
voluntarily! It seems contradictory to the essence of Pesach. We
celebrate the redemption from servitude and the miracle of re-
turning home, yet we witness people leaving home voluntarily
and traveling far from Hashem’s land.
Perhaps this is a lesson for us today: Pesach should inspire us
to prioritize living in holiness, in Eretz Yisrael, close to Torah
and mitzvos, rather than chasing comfort in lands that distance
us from our roots. Let us remember that leaving Mitzrayim was
not just about freedom, but about returning to the place where
Hashem’s presence dwells most fully.
Vues Master’s Note: Makes no sense to me. If you have to leave
Eretz Yisrael, why go through Egypt? Find a different route, or
just stay in the Holy Land.
RABBI DOV FISCHER
Dear Vues Master:
My family and I would like to express how much we miss your
former columnist, Rabbi Dov Fischer. Week after week, his col-
umn in The Jewish Vues was something we genuinely looked
forward to reading. In a world where many writers choose their
words carefully to avoid controversy, Rabbi Fischer stood out
because he spoke honestly and directly about what was on his
mind. Whether one agreed with him or not, his voice was clear,
thoughtful, and deeply rooted in his convictions.
Rabbi Fischer had a unique ability to connect current events with
Jewish values, history, and perspective. He never shied away
from difficult topics, and his writing encouraged readers to think
more deeply about the challenges facing the Jewish people and
the world at large. His perspective was strong, informed, and
often courageous.
At a time like now, with war involving Israel, America, and Iraq
dominating the headlines, we cannot help but think about how
powerful and insightful his column would be. Rabbi Fischer had
a way of cutting through the noise and saying what many people
were thinking but could not express as clearly. We truly wish he
were still here to share his voice and perspective during such a
complicated and important moment in world affairs.
In our opinion, Rabbi Dov Fischer was one of the best weekly
columnists The Jewish Vues ever had. His absence is deeply felt
in our home, and I am sure many other readers feel the same
way. His words mattered, and his column made the paper stron-
ger. PW
Vues Master’s Note: Agreed!
GAS PRICES
Dear Vues Master:
Like many Americans, I have been watching the
price of gasoline climb higher and higher over
the past couple of weeks. Every trip to the pump
feels like a punch to the wallet, and it seems to
get worse each week.
Much of this surge is tied to instability and con-
flict overseas. When war disrupts energy mar-
kets, ordinary drivers here at home end up paying
the price. For families who commute to work,
run small businesses, or simply want to take a
summer trip, these costs add up quickly.
I am already thinking about my annual drive up
to the Catskills later this summer—a trip my
family looks forward to every year. But with gas
prices this high, even a simple getaway starts to
feel like a luxury.
I hope President Trump and his administration
will put forward a clear plan to bring energy
prices back down. Expanding domestic produc-
tion, stabilizing supply, and giving drivers some
relief should be a national priority.
Americans should not have to choose between
filling their tanks and enjoying the simple tradi-
tions that make summer special. Sensible lead-
ership and a serious energy strategy could help
restore some balance for working families.
I sincerely hope that by the time June arrives,
Americans will see real relief at the pump and
feel confident hitting the road again. BT
Vues Master’s Note: Better this than Jews being
attacked with nuclear arms by the Iranians!
ATTACK!
Dear Vues Master,
Last Thursday’s attack at Temple Israel should
be a wake-up call for Jewish communities every-
where, especially for the Charedi community in
New York. A vehicle rammed into the shul, and
authorities initially feared an active shooter situ-
ation. The incident could easily have turned into
a terrible tragedy.
Instead, a disaster was prevented because the
synagogue had trained, armed security on site.
According to Michael Bouchard, those guards
engaged the attacker and stopped the threat be-
fore innocent mispallelim were harmed. One
guard was injured by the vehicle, but the only
fatality was the suspect himself. The presence of
armed security likely saved many lives.
This incident highlights an uncomfortable re-
ality. Too many Jewish mosdos in New York,
particularly within the Charedi community, still
operate as if the dangers facing Yidden today are
distant rather than real. While government grants
and police patrols are helpful, they cannot be re-
lied upon as the primary line of defense for every
shul, yeshiva, daycare, and community building.
Sadly, antisemitism has become louder and more
brazen in recent years. Our mosdos are visible
and vulnerable targets. Relying solely on outside
protection is not a real security plan—it is wish-
ful thinking.
Parents should ask questions about the safety of
the mosdos where they send their children, and
mispallelim should expect proper security in the
shuls where they daven. If a kehilla can raise
millions for buildings and expansions, it can also
prioritize trained, professional security.
We believe with complete emunah that our ul-
timate protection comes from Hashem. At the
same time, the Torah teaches the importance of
hishtadlus. Taking responsible steps to protect
our kehillos is not a lack of bitachon—it is part
of our obligation to safeguard life. MT
Vues Master’s Note: Hinei Lo Yanum… Hashem
protects after our hishtadlus!
YETZIAS NY
Dear Vues Master,
Across the country, a clear trend is taking shape:
people who have the ability to move are increas-
ingly choosing Florida over high-tax northern
states. The latest example is Starbucks founder
Howard Schultz, who, after more than four de-
cades in Seattle, has reportedly relocated to
Miami, purchasing a luxury oceanfront home
in South Florida. He joins a growing list of in-
fluential figures, including Mark Zuckerberg,
who have invested heavily in the Miami area and
helped turn South Florida into a rising center of
business and finance.
But this migration is not limited to billionaires
and tech executives. Within the Orthodox Jewish
community, the same pattern is becoming im-
possible to ignore. In shuls, yeshivos, and fam-
ily conversations throughout New York and the
Northeast, more and more frum families are dis-
cussing—and acting on—the decision to relocate
to Florida. Communities in places like Boca Ra-
ton, Aventura, Hollywood, and Miami are grow-
ing rapidly, with new shuls, kollelim, and kosher
establishments opening to meet the demand.
For many frum families, the reasons are practi-
cal. The cost of living is lower, housing is more
attainable, and there is a strong desire to build
vibrant Torah communities in places where fami-
lies feel they can breathe financially.
If New York City continues moving in a direc-
tion of higher taxes, heavier regulation, and
policies associated with Mayor Mamdani, the
trend may accelerate even further. Over the next
four years, we may see not only businesses but
entire communities continuing to head south.
Florida is no longer just a vacation destination.
For many Americans—and many frum fami-
lies, it is quickly becoming home.
LY
Vues Master’s Note: We will celebrate a Yom
Tov reminding us of when we left NYC!
MY PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH
GEDOLIM
Dear Vues Master,
I was with the Steipler Gaon, when he told me
that he had to escort me daled amos, since I was
leaving back to the States on Yom Shlishi. It was
Sunday night after shkiah, and he said, “Mor-
gen.” I had to yell in his ears that I’m not leav-
ing Morgen but Dienstag—Tuesday. “Yea, yea,
Morgen,” he replied. I said to myself, they’re not
letting me on the plane tomorrow! Then I real-
ized that he was right: if it’s after shkiah on Sun-
day night, then it’s already Yom Sheini, so Yom
Shlishi is indeed Morgen. My rebbe back home
humorously told me that the Steipler just wanted
to make sure I would leave!
My father’s Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Yisroel Zev
Gustman zt’l, introduced me and my father to
Rav Chaim Schmulevitz zt’l. I was a Bar Mitz-
vah bachur at the time. He told my father z”l that
he should have nachas from me. Tzaddik gozer
v’Hashem mekayem!
Years later, when I was learning in Eretz Yisrael,
my Brisker rosh yeshiva was upset with me for
reading Menachem Begun’s book, so he sent me
to speak to Rav Gustman. I called the yeshiva
pay phone to see if I could make an appointment.
Rav Gustman himself came to the pay phone to
invite me over. He asked me to come out of the
Beis Medrash to give me a kiss, and then told
me:
“Save the politics for the old men on the street
corner!”
That was Daas Torah, almost 50 years ago.
I naively went to my Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Zelik
Epstein zt’l, in Yeshiva Shaar Hatorah, and told
him that my chassidisher friend had said we were
mistaken: a shor is not an ox, but means some-
thing else in the next world. Rav Zelik told me:
“Moshe, when acher mevah vesrim, you’ll go up
to Shomayim and find out what a shor means.
But kol zman that you’re in this world, a shor
is an ox!”
I went to the Satmar Rebbe zt’l with a borrowed
$5 bill. The Rebbe returned it, since he doesn’t
take money from a yeshiva bachur. Rav Yossel
Ashkenazi asked me if I wanted a shidduch. I
figured I’d end up with a Boro Park, Hungar-
ian, Satmar veibel—but guess what? I ended up
with all three, all for a bargain $5! The chassidim
asked me what mitzvah I had used the money
for—I said, “To go to the Kossel!” Oy vey!
I once walked Rav Shach zt’l from his house to
the Yeshiva in Ponevezh. I shared a cute vort
from Rav Hutner zt’l that I had heard from my
rebbe: Talmei Hamelech made a mistake by
putting all the Chachamim in separate rooms
to translate the Torah into Greek. They all, with
ruach hakodesh, made the same changes. A big-
ger kunst would have been if he had put them all
in one room together. Rav Shach smiled, since
who more than him understood that vort!
I was zoche to also receive a kiss from Rav Mati-
syahu Salomon zt’l at the Lakewood dinner. I
had bought him a new set of seforim, which he
had been learning late into the night on Shabbos.
This was the sam derech from Rav Simcha Zissel
Brody zt’l, Rosh Yeshiva from Chevron.
I was also zoche to give rides to gedolim such
as Rav Simcha Schustal zt’l and Rav Shaul
Brus zt’l. I noticed Rav Brus was dehydrated,
so I turned on the air conditioner full blast so he
could cool down from the heat and humidity.
My Rebbe Muvhak, Harav Yitzchok Isaac Prag
zt’l, would walk up the mountain like a Malach
Elokim to be on time for shiur. He would walk
up in his tie, kapota, and hat like a royal king.
He never sat on the benches along the way so as
not to be late. He could have taken a later bus,
which would have brought him all the way up the
mountain, but he didn’t want to be late to shiur.
When he arrived, all sweating from the summer
heat, I offered him a drink of cold water. He
smiled and said,
“I’ll take a sefer, Rav Akiva Eiger, instead!”
So I drank the cold water—Torah nimshol la-
mayim. Rav Pam zt’l said that the only time you
truly enjoy water is when you thirst for it! ZY”A.
Rabbi Moshe Shochet
Vues Master’s Note: How lucky you are!
JIHADIST
Dear Vues Master:
New Yorkers are used to spirited debates about
taxes, but the latest proposal from Mayor Jihad-
ist Mamdani goes far beyond reasonable policy
discussion. Slashing New York’s estate tax ex-
emption from more than $7 million down to just
$750,000 while simultaneously raising the top
estate tax rate from 16 percent to an astonishing
50 percent is not bold leadership, it’s economic
self-sabotage. He’s crazy! Let’s be clear about
what this would mean. Families who spent de-
cades building businesses, buying homes, and
saving responsibly could see half of what they
leave behind taken by the state. In a city already
struggling with affordability and an ongoing
outflow of residents and investment, this kind of
policy sends exactly the wrong message: if you
succeed here, the government will punish you for
it. Supporters might claim this is about fairness,
but a 50 percent estate tax rate is closer to con-
fiscation than taxation. Policies like this won’t
magically create prosperity or solve budget prob-
lems. Instead, they will encourage entrepreneurs,
retirees, and investors to relocate to states where
their life’s work isn’t treated as a revenue target.
New York thrives when it attracts ambition, in-
novation, and long-term investment. A proposal
like this does the opposite. It risks accelerating
the very exodus of wealth and opportunity that
policymakers should be trying to stop. Calling
this idea “crazy” may sound blunt, but some-
times bluntness is warranted. If New York wants
to remain a place where people build their fu-
tures, proposals like this should be rejected out-
right. Sincerely, A Concerned New Yorker
Vues Master’s Note: Slowly but surely, NYC
will become a Third World country, with radical
Islam leading the way.
GREAT PAPER
Dear Vues Master:
I just wanted to let you know how much We en-
joy your paper!! The Jewish vues is my FIRST
GO TO PAPER EVERY SHABBOS!!!!! It’s so
enjoyable that if for some reason I can’t get it for
shabbos ( if I’m away) I try getting it wherever
they still have some copies!!! It’s informative,
it’s funny, and it has the most beautiful Divrei
Torah!!! We read the divrei Torah of Joey Haber
and Rabbi Mansour every week and then The
news in Israel!!!! The mi kiamcha YISRAEL
makes us cry every time!!!! Much appreciated!!!
Much hatzlocha for the continued success!!!!!
Mrs. M. Hochman
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks for the Chizuk!
BLOOMBERG
Dear Vues Master,
At a time when many Americans wonder wheth-
er the nation’s wealthiest individuals are doing
enough to give back, Michael Bloomberg con-
tinues to set a remarkable example. According
to the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s latest annual
ranking, Bloomberg donated an extraordinary
$4.3 billion to charitable causes in 2025, once
again making him the largest philanthropic donor
in the United States.
What makes this achievement especially note-
worthy is the breadth of the causes he supports.
Bloomberg’s giving spans the arts, education,
environmental protection, public health, and
programs aimed at improving city governance.
These are not token gestures—they are substan-
tial investments that strengthen communities and
institutions around the world.
Bloomberg’s philanthropy also reflects his iden-
tity and values. As a proud Jewish American, he
has consistently supported Jewish organizations,
Jewish education, and humanitarian efforts con-
nected to Israel. His contributions have helped
sustain important cultural, educational, and so-
cial initiatives that benefit Jewish communities
while also supporting broader global causes.
Other notable philanthropists, including Bill
Gates, who gave $3.7 billion in 2025, and a $3.1
billion bequest from the late Paul Allen to launch
a science and technology foundation, were also
extraordinarily generous. Yet Bloomberg still
ranked first for the third consecutive year.
As someone who cares deeply about New York,
I also remember Bloomberg’s years leading the
city as mayor with admiration. His pragmatic,
data-driven leadership helped modernize the
city, improve public health, and strengthen cul-
tural institutions.
Seeing his continued com-
mitment to philanthropy
reminds many of us of that
steady leadership. Quite
frankly, I often wish he
were still the mayor of New
York.
MYR
Vues Master’s Note: I
would not want him as
mayor. I couldn’t even buy a large soda; only
small cups, etc. I don’t need more government
in my life! Anyone would be better than our cur-
rent mayor.
PRICE OF WAR
Dear Vues Master,
I have been following reports about the rising
costs of the United States’ military campaign
against Iran, and frankly, I am not concerned
about the financial toll. Yes, $11.3 billion in
six days—or potentially $65 billion over a few
months—is staggering on paper, but dollars
alone cannot capture the stakes involved.
This campaign is about more than numbers; it is
about national security, regional stability, and the
protection of lives. And it is not just America that
benefits. By taking decisive action against Iran,
the United States is indirectly helping Israel, our
closest ally in the region, by weakening a hostile
neighbor that has repeatedly threatened its exis-
tence. Supporting Israel’s security is both a stra-
tegic and moral imperative. In essence, part of
the cost of this war is an investment in the safety
of millions of Jews—a goal worth every dollar.
Critics highlight federal deficits and rising debt,
yet what price can we truly put on deterring ag-
gression, safeguarding allies, and preventing
larger conflicts that could cost far more in lives
and money? The war’s expense, while signifi-
cant, is dwarfed by the long-term benefits of sta-
bility and deterrence.
In short, I do not see the financial outlay as a
cause for alarm. The protection it provides, to
Americans and to Israel, is priceless. Fiscal
concerns are important, but they should not out-
weigh the necessity of defending freedom and
ensuring our allies, and fellow Jews, can survive
and thrive. NT
Vues Master’s Note: Agreed 100 percent!
TUCKER AND ILHAN JOIN HANDS
Dear Vues Master:
Once again, the far right and the far left have
found a common cause: inciting hatred against
Jews—but this time, with a particular twist.
Tucker Carlson, appearing recently on Megyn
Kelly’s podcast, asserted that conservatives who
support Israel are “under a spell.” He claimed
that Jews have a “witchcraft-like” influence in
American politics. That echoed remarks he made
a few weeks earlier, when he said the U.S. am-
bassador to Israel, Gov. Mike Huckabee, seemed
to be “operating under a spell” and was the vic-
tim of something “metaphysical.”
This rhetoric is reminiscent of a statement made
by someone on the opposite end of the political
spectrum—someone
Carlson frequently criti-
cizes on other issues. In
2012, Ilhan Omar, now
a Democratic congress-
woman from Minneso-
ta, tweeted: “Israel has
hypnotized the world,
may Allah awaken the
people and help them
see the evil doings of Israel.”
Historically, such tropes are not new. In the Mid-
dle Ages, Martin Luther and the Catholic Church
were bitter enemies, but they agreed on one thing
regarding Jews. In his 1543 book On the Jews
and Their Lies, Luther claimed that Jewish re-
ligious practice “abounds with witchcraft” and
“sorcery.” Many medieval Catholic leaders ex-
pressed similar ideas.
In modern times, Carlson and Omar are not
alone in these beliefs. Comparable themes ap-
pear in antisemitic propaganda promoted by
Palestinian Authority–salaried religious officials.
For example, in a 2002 sermon broadcast on
PA Television, preacher Dr. Mahmoud Mustafa
Najem claimed that “the Jews” tried to murder
Muhammad, the founder of Islam, “by witch-
craft.” In 2015, Sheikh Khaled Al-Mughrabi, a
PA-salaried preacher at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in
Jerusalem, stated: “The Freemason lodges are
witchcraft gatherings of the Children of Israel.
One of the ceremonies, for instance, if some-
one wants to be accepted as a new member, or
rise in rank… he has to somehow bring one of
his sons or daughters, or his wife or one of his
male or female relatives, and put them on the
table and slaughter them with his own hands as
a sacrifice to Satan, in order to rise in the ranks
of the Freemasons. My brothers, this exists un-
til today.” (Translations courtesy of Palestinian
Media Watch.)
Although separated by religion, geography,
and political philosophy, Tucker Carlson, Ilhan
Omar, and the Palestinian Authority share a dis-
turbing ideological alignment.
RM
Vues Master’s Note: Facts speak for themselves!
MINIMUM WAGE
Dear Vues Master:
The proposal to raise New York City’s minimum
wage to $30 an hour should alarm anyone who
cares about the survival of small businesses.
Supporters claim it will help workers cope with
rising costs, but such a drastic increase could
devastate the very businesses that keep our
neighborhoods alive.
Small businesses operate on razor-thin margins.
Restaurants, bodegas, salons, and family-owned
shops already struggle with high rents, inflation,
and lingering economic challenges. Doubling the
minimum wage from $17 to $30 by 2030 would
likely be unsustainable. Owners could be forced
to dramatically raise prices, cut staff hours, re-
place workers with au-
tomation, or even close
altogether.
If this policy becomes
law, many small busi-
nesses will not survive.
The result would be few-
er entry-level jobs, fewer
opportunities for young
people and immigrants,
and more empty store-
fronts across the city.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani deserves criticism
for championing this extreme proposal during
his campaign. When elected leaders promote
policies that ignore economic reality, the con-
sequences are felt by everyday business owners
and workers.
New York City faces a severe affordability cri-
sis, but the solution cannot be policies that force
small businesses to close. Instead, City Hall
should focus on reducing costs, supporting entre-
preneurs, and making it easier—not harder—to
run a business in this city.
If this proposal moves forward, many small busi-
nesses will disappear, and the responsibility will
rest squarely with the politicians who promoted
it. NY
Vues Master’s Note: Liberal math never adds up
unless you consider adding negative numbers ad-
dition!
RABBI LEBOWITZ INTERVIEW
Dear Vues Master:
I would like to commend Ari Hirsch for his out-
standing and thoughtful interview with Rabbi
Aryeh Lebowitz. It was a true pleasure to read
and offered a meaningful glimpse into the life
and work of someone who has become such an
important figure in the frum community.
Rabbi Lebowitz is widely recognized as a tre-
mendous gadol and a person whose dedication
to Torah and Klal Yisrael is remarkable. What
struck me most in the interview was how clearly
it conveyed both the breadth of his work and the
humility with which he approaches it. Despite
his many responsibilities—teaching, speaking,
community leadership, Rabbi Lebowitz contin-
ues to give generously of his time and energy to
help others grow in learning and avodas Hashem.
The interview beautifully highlighted the impact
he has had on many people across different com-
munities. Whether through his shiurim, guidance,
or public speaking, Rabbi Lebowitz has inspired
thousands and strengthened the connection that
many feel to Torah and mitzvos. Capturing the
essence of such a dynamic individual is not easy,
but Ari Hirsch did so with clarity, warmth, and
respect.
Profiles like this are important because they al-
low readers to appreciate those who dedicate
their lives to serving Klal Yisrael. I hope to see
more thoughtful pieces like this in the future.
RJT
Vues Master’s Note: Aye aye—I second the
notion!