19 May 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.
THE YOM TOV OF KABBOLAS HATORAH
Dear Vues Master,
As we prepare once again for the beautiful Yom Tov of
Shavuos, I find myself filled with excitement and gratitude.
There is something uniquely uplifting about these special
days when Klal Yisroel gathers to relive Kabbolas HaTorah
and recommit ourselves to learning Hashem’s Torah with
simcha.
One of the things I cherish most about Shavuos is the op-
portunity to spend meaningful time learning with my chil-
dren. In the rush of the year, it can sometimes be difficult to
slow down and truly sit together over a sefer. On Shavuos,
however, the atmosphere itself encourages Torah, connec-
tion, and family. Hearing my children share divrei Torah
and watching them stay up eagerly for late-night learning
gives me tremendous nachas.
Of course, no Shavuos would be complete without the deli-
cious Yom Tov meals. Between the milchig meals, espe-
cially the cheesecake, and the wonderful fleishig seudos,
there is such a feeling of abundance and simchas Yom Tov.
This year is especially exciting because Shavuos falls over
Shabbos, giving us even more time to enjoy the kedusha,
the food, and the restful spirit of Yom Tov together with
Shabbos.
I also always look forward to hearing the inspiring shiurim
delivered in shuls and batei medrash throughout the Yom
Tov. There is truly nothing like the sound of Torah filling
the air on Shavuos night.
May we all be zocheh to receive the Torah once again with
joy, פנימיות, and achdus.
RBS
Vues Master’s Note: Amen! May this be a beautiful and
peaceful Yom Tov for all, filled with kedusha and Yiras
Shamayim.
MAMDANI’S AT IT AGAIN!
Dear Vues Master,
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s decision to release an official
“Nakba” commemoration video was deeply disappointing
and divisive for many Jewish New Yorkers. At a time when
antisemitism is rising across our city and Jewish commu-
nities are facing threats, harassment, and fear, the Mayor
chose to present a highly one-sided narrative surrounding
one of the most painful and complex conflicts in modern
history.
The video failed to acknowledge that the 1948 war began
after Arab leaders rejected the United Nations partition plan
and launched a war against the newly declared State of Is-
rael. It also ignored the suffering and displacement of hun-
dreds of thousands of Jews expelled from Arab countries in
the aftermath. Historical context matters, especially when
speaking from the office of the Mayor of New York City.
Equally troubling was the timing of the release, just before
Shabbos. The message many received was one of political
provocation, not unity or understanding.
Mayor Mamdani has repeatedly embraced rhetoric and
policies that alienate Jewish New Yorkers, from refusing to
condemn extremist slogans to rolling back executive orders
recognizing antisemitism. Leadership requires balance, em-
pathy, and a commitment to bringing communities together.
New Yorkers deserve a mayor who lowers tensions instead
of inflaming them. Our city cannot afford leadership that
selectively acknowledges pain while dismissing the fears
and experiences of others.
I still can not believe that an anti-semite like this is the may-
or in New York City.
NH
Vue Master’s Note: Unfortunately, this mayor, who indeed
has never hid his anti-Jewish feelings, received votes from
many Jewish New Yorkers. I’m wondering what it will
take for his Jewish supporters to realize that whether they
support the State of Israel or not, because they are Jewish,
Mamdani will not protect them when all is said and done.
A LACK OF ACHDUS IN KLAL YISRAEL
Dear Vues Master,
The current political crisis in Eretz Yisrael is heartbreaking,
not only because of the uncertainty surrounding the gov-
ernment, but because it once again highlights the painful
divisions within Klal Yisrael. At a time when our enemies
openly threaten us from every direction, we should be
standing together with achdus and mutual respect. Instead,
we find ourselves locked in endless political battles, accusa-
tions, and mistrust.
Prime Minister Netanyahu warns that dissolving the Knes-
set could weaken Israel’s military preparedness at a criti-
cal moment, especially regarding the threat from Iran.
Meanwhile, Chareidi leaders insist they can no longer trust
promises regarding the draft law and feel repeatedly mis-
led. Regardless of which side one agrees with
politically, it is deeply sad to see fellow Jews
speaking about one another with such frustra-
tion and suspicion.
Throughout our history, we have survived
only when united. Chazal teach us that the
Beis Hamikdash was destroyed because of
sinas chinam. Today, when Torah Jews, secu-
lar Jews, right-wing, left-wing, religious, and
nonreligious Israelis all face common dan-
gers, one would hope we could rise above
politics and remember that we are one people
with one destiny.
Disagreements are inevitable in any democra-
cy, especially in a country as diverse as Israel.
But disagreements do not have to become
hatred. The greatest strength of Klal Yisrael
has always been our ability to care for one an-
other despite our differences.
May we merit more understanding, more hu-
mility, and more achdus among all Jews.
RYR
Vues Master’s Note: Well said! I believe that
instead of judging each other, let’s leave it to
Hashem to do the judging. Mutual respect
goes a long way; even if we don’t accept each
other’s opinions as our truth, we can treat
each other kindly.
PETIRAH OF R’ CHAIM YITZCHOK
“IKEY” DACHS Z”L
Dear Vues Master,
It is truly heartbreaking to hear of the petirah
of R’ Chaim Yitzchok Dachs z”l. For so long,
so many people were davening tirelessly
for his refuah, hoping and believing that he
would recover. The outpouring of tefillos re-
flected just how beloved he was by all who
knew him.
Ikey was known as a warm, kind, and caring
individual who touched countless lives with
his genuine concern for others. He had a rare
ability to make every person feel important
and welcomed.
He was also the father of well-known Jewish
singer Shloime Dachs, along with a beautiful
family who will deeply feel his absence. The
many memories of his goodness and compas-
sion will continue to inspire all who were
privileged to know him.
As a good friend of Shloime’s, I wish him
and his entire family only the best during this
incredibly difficult time. May they find com-
fort and strength among all those mourning
together with them.
Yehi zichro baruch.
AH
Vues Master ‘s Note: May the neshama of
R’ Chaim Yitzchok Dachs z”l have an aliyah,
and may his family be comforted through
good memories and beautiful words such as
yours.
AN OUTCRY: PART 2
Dear Vues Master,
I would like to address a few points that you
responded to me about last week regarding
my letter grieving over the unfortunate and
shocking abomination festival scheduled to
take place in the Holy Land.
Whether Israel is a secular state or not, and
whether it’s run by the British or the Turks,
when you have Jews behaving that way in
a public manner and rejoicing in their sins,
making the ultimate chilul Hashem, it affects
all of us. As the common example goes, when
someone drills a hole in their own room on a
ship, everyone goes down with the ship.
This is not comparable to someone who, in
their own private life, happens to not keep
Shabbos or kosher. This event is a public dis-
play to the world that those participating want
nothing to do with the Torah, and that we are
free to do whatever we want, in Eretz Yisrael
no less.
I don’t know if people are aware, but a large
portion of the world still criminalizes this
type of behavior, and that’s not just the Arab
countries I’m talking about. Humanity recog-
nizes its danger and the corruption it causes
to society. This sin has even caused heavenly
destruction in our history.
So what I’m basically trying to say is that
Judaism does not have a “tolerance and in-
clusivity” clause when it comes to this. The
Torah says multiple times that we should
eradicate the evil in our midst, not shrug it
off. Obviously, there’s not much we can do
without a Sanhedrin, but it’s an obligation to
make very clear how we feel on this topic and
to protest, to show Hashem at least how much
it bothers us.
I don’t think you’ll get any different answer
from Rabbi Reisman, Rabbi Lieff, Rabbi
Weiss, Rabbi Frand, or any rav either. I think
being PC is exactly what brought us to this in
the first place. The Torah is anything but PC.
The Creator made the rules, and we’re just
passing guests.
A good Chag to all,
KLMY
Vues Master’s Note: You’ve made it very
clear how you feel, and yet I still think you’re
missing the point.
Let me also be clear. I agree with you that this
behavior is against halacha. But so is abuse
of any kind, lashon hara, humiliating people,
cheating people in business, disrespecting
parents, and obviously much, much more.
These aveiros are often done in public, too, on
a large-scale, publicly displayed to all. Why is
this particular issue the one you feel the need
to publicly condemn so passionately? Do you
know how Hashem judges aveiros and mitz-
vos? I don’t think any of us, including the
well-respected Rabbanim you mentioned, are
privy to those cheshbonos.
I also have to ask: what does your anonymous
letter actually accomplish? Publicly declaring
your outrage to Hashem, and to the readers of
the Jewish Vues, does nothing to change the
situation. So instead, I think the more impor-
tant question is this: what can we do with our
time and energy that will actually help Klal
Yisrael?
I would suggest focusing less on condemning
other Jews and more on fostering achdus and
ahavas Yisrael. You do not have to agree with
someone’s actions to treat them with dignity,
compassion, and love.
We constantly speak about wanting geulah,
yet we are taught that the Beis HaMikdash
was destroyed because of sinas chinam. That
should give all of us pause. You don’t have
to agree with their actions, but you still have
an obligation to love your fellow Jews all the
same.
Wishing you, and all of Klal Yisrael, a mean-
ingful Yom Tov.
HASHGACHOS ON SHEITALS,
CONTINUED
Dear Vues Master
Regarding the letter about sheitels… first of
all, I loved your response! I totally agree. I
also wanted to note that there are at least 2
wig companies that have a hechsher, and
the hair is supervised from the cutting… like
Shmurah matzah lol! I personally know a baal
machshir who travels to other countries to su-
pervise the haircutting and buys the hair…
Good luck to everyone!
RK
Vues Master’s Note: Thank you for letter!
Would you be willing to share who these
companies are? I think some of our readers
would appreciate it!
JUST ANOTHER REASON TO
HATE MAMDANI!
Dear Vues Master:
As a New York City resident for my entire
life, I am deeply concerned by Mayor Zohran
Mamdani’s recent Nakba Day video released
through the mayor’s office. The decision to
highlight a deeply contested historical narra-
tive using official city resources raises serious
questions about judgment, balance, and the
appropriate role of municipal government in
international political disputes and undermin-
ing public trust in city government.
While the experiences of Palestinians dis-
placed in 1948 are not true, many Jewish or-
ganizations and elected officials have noted
that the video omitted critical context, in-
cluding the Arab states’ invasion following
Israel’s independence, the rejection of the UN
partition plan, and the displacement of Jew-
ish communities from across the Middle East.
At a time when antisemitic incidents in New
York City are a real and pressing concern,
the framing of such material by a city office
risks deepening division rather than fostering
understanding. Public communication from
elected officials should strive for complete-
ness and sensitivity, especially on issues that
inflame communities.
I also find it troubling that this video appeared
amid public demonstrations connected to Na-
kba Day, some of which reportedly included
extremist symbolism and rhetoric. Even if the
intent was educational, the effect has been
to heighten mistrust. City leadership should
prioritize unifying messages and unequivocal
condemnation of antisemitism and all forms
of hatred. I urge the mayor’s office to exer-
cise greater care in future communications
and to ensure that official platforms are not
perceived as advancing one-sided political
narratives in global conflicts.
NT
Vues Master’s Note: To quote another letter
we received: If we spend more time talking
about Mamdani than we do Maimonides then
we are doing Judaism wrong. Yes, Mamdani’s
awful to the Jews. Yes, Mamdani looks to in-
cite. No, Mamdani isn’t our friend. We can
keep protesting, but ultimately it’s up to us to
strengthen ourselves.
Get smarter responses, upload files and im-
ages, and more.
JEWS FOR THE ISRAELI DAY
PARADE
Dear Vues Master,
Next week’s Israeli Day Parade is one of
New York City’s most visible expressions
of cultural pride, community resilience, and
shared democratic values. At a time when an-
tisemitism is rising across the country, public
participation in events like this matters more
than ever.
This parade has always been more than a fes-
tive gathering. It is a statement that Jewish
New Yorkers, along with allies from all back-
grounds, have a rightful and permanent place
in the civic life of this city. Showing up in
person, whether as participants or spectators,
sends a clear message that hate and intimida-
tion will not define who we are.
It is also notable that anti-Semite jihadist
Mayor Mamdani will not be attending. This is
the first time a New York City mayor will not
march in the Israeli Day Parade. Civic lead-
ers have a responsibility to stand visibly with
all communities, especially when those com-
munities feel vulnerable. Their presence — or
absence — is felt deeply by constituents.
That is why I urge New Yorkers from every
borough and background to attend this year’s
parade in even greater numbers. Support for
the Jewish community should not be condi-
tional or symbolic only in times of conve-
nience; it should be consistent, public, and
unwavering.
New York’s strength has always been its di-
versity and its refusal to be divided by fear.
Attending the Israeli Day Parade is a simple
but meaningful way to affirm that principle.
HR
Vues Master’s Note: I plan to be at the pa-
rade, and although I usually attend, this year
does feel more significant than ever as a Jew-
ish New Yorker. Even if one does not sup-
port the State of Israel in its current form, we
must recognize that without Israel, the future
of Jews in America would likely be far less
secure.
MAMDANI VS. MAIMONIDES
Dear Vues Master,
If we spend more time talking about Mamda-
ni than we do Maimonides, then we are doing
Judaism wrong.
RSR
Vues Master’s Note: You make a very good
point. To add to that: the best way to fight
antisemitism is to strengthen ourselves from
within.
ANOTHER SHEITEL LETTER
Dear Vues Master,
Thank you for an amazing and interesting
read!
I was deeply moved by the letter from the
woman who went sheitel shopping with her
daughter, who is, Baruch Hashem, a kallah.
She wanted clear guidance regarding rabbini-
cal supervision on wigs. That is commend-
able, because as a yiras shamayim mother
who wants to serve Hashem properly and
give her daughter the very best, her desire
for halachic guidance comes from a pure and
beautiful Yiddishe neshama.
The challenge when shopping for a sheitel
is enormous. The choices are endless, and it
can become confusing for someone trying to
do the right thing. Should it be short or long,
loose or tied back, alluring or tzniusdik, flat-
tering, attractive, natural-looking, etc.?
To be completely honest, sheitels were origi-
nally intended to be more “private wear” —
for the home and for one’s husband, not for
public display before other men and boys.
Adorning oneself publicly with hair after
marriage is not what Hashem, in His infinite
mercy, kindness, wisdom, and understanding,
intended when He commanded us to cover
our hair.
Traditionally, the proper head covering for
a married Jewish woman was a kerchief or
tichel, because the purpose of the mitzvah is
to avoid pritzus and not become a michshol
for men and boys.
Today’s wigs, across the board, are extreme-
ly natural-looking, beauty-enhancing, and
unfortunately alluring and eye-catching. In
many cases, they do not align with the spirit
of true Yiddishe tznius and Daas Yehudis.
There is also the serious concern of tikroves
avodah zarah, which some maintain applies
even to wigs that carry “supervision.”
As we know, the word “minhag” contains
the same letters as “Gehinnom,” and there
is a reason for that. Just because “everyone”
seems to be doing something does not au-
tomatically make it correct, tzniusdik, per-
missible, or worthwhile. Sometimes people
convince themselves otherwise to ease a
guilty conscience, but ultimately such self-
deception will not serve as a sufficient answer
Above, even if a wig carries some form of
“supervision.”
Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, and Leah would never
have worn such pritzus, regardless of who de-
clared it acceptable.
I understand this may be difficult to hear,
but it is the emes. It is said that Maran Rav
Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l, stated that
when Moshiach comes, one of the first things
he will abolish is the use of wigs as a head
covering. Why wait?
We should never feel ashamed or afraid to
fulfill the will of Hashem in the proper way.
Only goodness and bracha can come from it.
Hatzlacha and bracha,
Mrs. Goldstein
Vues Master’s Note: Although I agree that
many sheitels today are not exactly “tzanua,”
and I personally advocate for cloth head cov-
erings, I would not go so far as to say they are
assur. Do you have halachic sources for your
assertions? I think it is important to
distinguish between opinion and fact.
A MOTHER’S PAIN
Hello! I love the Jewish Vues. It is my
favorite read and my oneg Shabbos.
What I appreciate most is that you re-
main balanced on difficult and contro-
versial topics, truly a paper for all of
Klal Yisroel. First I read the jokes, then
the letters.
I appreciate the opportunity to share some-
thing that has been weighing heavily on me.
Perhaps someone can help or at least under-
stand how painful this is for me.
I am a chassidish woman, and I am proud and
grateful to be one. But there is something that
is extremely difficult for me. I have a fam-
ily of boys, and I find myself constantly dav-
ening to Hashem for no more sons — only
daughters.
Why? Because of the mainstream chassidish
cheder system, especially within certain mos-
dos. In my experience, there are still far too
many staff members, perhaps 20%, who are
incompetent and who hurt children physi-
cally, emotionally, and verbally.
It causes me tremendous pain and helpless-
ness. I want to send my boys to cheder with a
full heart. I do not want to hear them say they
do not want to go.
But if I speak up, I am labeled a complainer.
And if I were to involve the authorities, I fear
my family would be blacklisted forever.
I apologize for such a painful letter, but I
hope someone reading this may have advice
or guidance.
Sadly, after one abusive melamed was finally
dismissed following many years of com-
plaints, another cheder hired him. It is heart-
breaking.
Besoros tovos,
Frimet S.
Vues Master’s Note: This is an extremely
emotional topic. Although this is not an ad-
vice column and I am certainly not a mental
health professional, I would like to offer one
important thought as a fellow human being:
You are your children’s greatest advocate,
and possibly their only advocate.
If your children report abuse or inappropri-
ate behavior in school, it is
your obligation as a parent
to take those concerns seri-
ously. Even if the allegations
ultimately prove unfounded,
your response teaches your
children that their feelings and
experiences matter.
I do not know what specific
resources are available to you,
but Ohel may be able to guide
you toward the support and
help your family needs.
Wishing you much hatzlacha,
safety, and nachas from all
your children.
ANOTHER MAMDANI
LETTER
Dear Vues Master,
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s
reckless threats to arrest Israe-
li Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during
a potential visit to New York City are not only
legally baseless, but deeply damaging to the
city’s reputation and constitutional order.
A mayor does not have the authority to con-
duct foreign policy, override federal law, or
selectively enforce international court rulings
based on personal ideology.
The United States is not a member of the In-
ternational Criminal Court, and federal law,
not City Hall, governs matters of diplomacy,
sovereign immunity, and international re-
lations. Even Governor Kathy Hochul has
acknowledged that the mayor lacks the le-
gal authority to carry out such an arrest. Yet
Mamdani continues to inflame tensions with
rhetoric that appears designed more for politi-
cal theater than responsible governance.
New Yorkers deserve a mayor focused on
public safety, affordability, transportation,
and quality of life, not someone attempting to
turn our city into the center of an international
political spectacle.
Threatening to arrest a foreign head of gov-
ernment visiting the United Nations risks em-
barrassing the city, undermining diplomatic
norms, and provoking unnecessary conflict
with the federal government.
No elected city official should misuse mu-
nicipal power to pursue personal foreign-
policy agendas. Leadership requires restraint,
respect for constitutional boundaries, and a
commitment to governing fairly for all resi-
dents.
Mayor Mamdani’s actions are divisive, irre-
sponsible, and far outside the proper role of
his office. He clearly is antisemitic.
FT
Vues Master’s Note: I have nothing more to
add beyond what I have already said.