08 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.
I LOVE CONGRESSMAN RANDY FINE
Dear Vues Master
I have to say, I absolutely love Congressman Randy Fine.
In an era when too many politicians talk a big game about
supporting Israel but hesitate when it comes time to act,
Randy Fine has consistently shown that he is willing to put
his principles into action.
His recent warning to the British government is exactly the
kind of leadership we need. If Britain moves forward with
policies pressuring British companies to boycott parts of
Israel, Florida should make it clear that there will be con-
sequences. Companies that participate in a boycott of Is-
rael should not expect to receive the benefits of doing busi-
ness with the State of Florida.
What I particularly admire about Congressman Fine is that
he understands something very important: Israel does not
need another politician offering empty words. It needs
leaders willing to use every legal and economic tool avail-
able to fight discrimination against the Jewish state.
The Florida law he helped pass demonstrates that princi-
ple. When companies are forced or encouraged to partici-
pate in boycotts against Israel, they should understand that
those decisions can come with a price. As Congressman
Fine pointed out, the same Florida policy previously
forced Airbnb to reconsider its misguided attempt to boy-
cott Israeli communities.
This is the kind of pro-Israel leadership I appreciate. Ran-
dy Fine doesn’t just say he supports Israel, he fights for
Israel.
We need more elected officials with that kind of courage,
conviction and backbone.
HT
VUES MASTER’S NOTE: Keep fighting, Congressman
Fine. We are cheering you on!
WHEN WILL WE LEARN FROM HISTORY?
Dear Vues Master:
Last week, Mayor Zohran Mamdani entered Eichler’s se-
forim store and was warmly welcomed by staff and pa-
trons. People blew shofar and gave him honey in honor of
Rosh Hashanah. To me, this was a deeply troubling Chilul
Hashem. A Jewish institution should be extremely careful
about whom it honors and welcomes, especially someone
whose political positions have repeatedly been viewed by
many Jews as hostile toward Israel.
Some are even asking whether Jewish people have learned
anything from our history. We cannot forget how quickly
societies can turn against Jews when antisemitism is toler-
ated or excused. We must be willing to recognize danger-
ous rhetoric before it becomes something even worse.
A similar controversy arose on Sukkos when Mamdani
was welcomed into a Samar sukkah. These incidents
should force us to ask serious questions about where we
draw the line.
Eli Beer of Hatzolah also spoke out online after seeing the
video of a woman confronting the mayor. He called her
courageous and said that he wanted to personally honor
her for standing up for Israel. He expressed shame that
Jews would silence her while Jewish businesses and com-
munities welcome a mayor whom he believes has repeat-
edly attacked Israel and made serious accusations concern-
ing Israeli soldiers and Jews in Israel.
America is a democracy, and people have the right to
speak out. We should not silence Jews who are expressing
legitimate concerns about Israel and antisemitism.
When will we finally learn from history? We must stand up
for ourselves, for Israel, and for the Jewish people.
Shloimie Weiden
VUES MASTER’S NOTE: You raise a legitimate ques-
tion about how Jewish institutions should balance civility
and hospitality with strong disagreements over a public
figure’s positions on Israel. We have to keep in mind that
we can not bend to a politician’s blatant antisemitism and
yet need to respect them as the governing body. The bal-
ance is a difficult one to make.
WHEN POLITICAL GAIN COMES AT TOO
HIGH A PRICE
Dear Vues Master:
To My Dear Satmar Brothers and Sisters, Chassidim, and
Ultra-Religious Jews:
Regarding those in our community who came out to greet
Mayor Mamdani at Eichler’s or elsewhere, I want to share
something from the heart.
My aunt and uncle were Satmar Chassidim. I have tremen-
dous Hakaras Hatov to my Satmar aunt and uncle and tre-
mendous respect for my first cousins and their large fami-
lies.
When I was a single girl living in Kiryat
Arba, I would visit my aunt and uncle for
Shabbos or simply stop by to visit when I
was in Yerushalayim. Whenever I arrived,
my Uncle Mendybachi would announce, “A
A — “אל גאויסע גאסט — “!Gast Groisa
Great Guest has come!”
Talk about royal treatment!
So please know that what I am saying is
coming from a good place.
The Chassidim who have gone out of their
way to flatter Mayor Mamdani, in my opin-
ion, are blinded. It’s as simple as that.
They have tremendous Hakaras Hatov — ap-
preciation — for what New York has done
for their communities. They want these help-
ful programs to continue, whether it is hous-
ing, food, healthcare, or whatever is neces-
sary to keep their communities functioning
and affordable.
Mayor Mamdani is personable. He has an
engaging smile. He wants to help their com-
munity grow and flourish. So what is the big
deal? He helps us, and we help him. He
smiles at us, and we smile at him. We don’t
love him, and we know he doesn’t love us.
We are playing the game.
Our children continue to grow up in a frum,
Chassidish atmosphere. We don’t need to
compromise on important Chassidish princi-
ples. Our Tznius standards are not being
challenged. Our Chinuch is not being chal-
lenged. We are getting help with food, hous-
ing, and healthcare. That’s all we need, and
we are grateful.
Economically, it may be viewed as a good
working relationship.
But I believe we have to ask ourselves a
much deeper question: At what point does
accepting political or economic benefits
come at the cost of our principles?
There are certain things that money cannot
erase, and there are certain lines that we
should never cross.
We cannot forget October 7. We cannot for-
get the atrocities committed against innocent
Israelis. We cannot forget the people who
spent years trying to build peaceful relation-
ships with their Arab neighbors and who
themselves became victims of terror.
We also cannot ignore the political positions
and statements of those seeking our support.
I understand why members of our commu-
nity appreciate government programs. I un-
derstand why they want housing, food,
healthcare, and other assistance to continue.
These are real needs.
But we must never allow those needs to blind
us.
שוחד מעוור פקחים
Bribery blinds the wise.
Mamdani may gain political legitimacy by
being welcomed by members of the Jewish
community. We should think carefully about
what message that sends.
Do we really want to give legitimacy to
someone whose positions we fundamentally
oppose simply because his administration
may provide benefits to our community?
Unless Eichler’s apologizes to the Jewish
people for allowing Mamdani to enter its se-
forim store, I personally — and I am sure
there are others who feel the same way —
will, bli neder, not want to step foot into
Eichler’s.
I hope others will join this boycott — not,
Chas Vesholom, because we want to boycott
Chashuve Yidden, but because we do not
want to feel that we are supporting or bene-
fiting from something we believe is morally
wrong.
The Torah tells us:
…ו ְלֹא־תַחֲנִיפּו אֶת־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁ ר אַתֶּם בָּּ֔ה
(במדבר פרק ל“ה פסוק ל“ג)
Yes, you desperately need these programs
and this money. However, what happened on
October 7, and the horrors of Nazi Germany,
cannot be settled with money.
There are things that require true justice.
When dealing with people or movements
whose ideology we believe is hostile to Israel
and the Jewish people, there must be limits to
what we are willing to overlook for political
or economic benefit.
And this is Torah?
Am Yisroel has to draw a line. You cannot sit
on the fence forever.
Choose.
It is Am Yisrael or Amalek.
The choice before Rosh Hashanah is ours.
Please, Hashem, don’t test me!
DT
VUES MASTER’S NOTE: You make a
strong point that government assistance
should never come at the cost of compromis-
ing our principles or overlooking Mayor
Mamdani’s troubling positions on Israel and
the Jewish people. A working relationship
with an elected official is understandable, but
publicly celebrating and legitimizing some-
one whose views are so deeply at odds with
ours is a line that should not be crossed sim-
ply because his administration may benefit
our community.
SEPTEMBER 11TH IS NOT A
POLITICAL PROP
Dear Vues Master:
I find Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s decision re-
garding the September 11 memorial pen
deeply disturbing. But even beyond the pen
controversy, I remain upset that Mamdani
wants to involve himself in anything con-
nected to September 11.
This is the same mayor who has faced in-
tense criticism over past comments and ac-
tions concerning 9/11, including accusations
that he celebrated or made light of the at-
tacks. Because of that history, I find it incred-
ibly troubling that he now wants to place
himself at the center of a September 11 com-
memoration.
Mamdani signed two executive orders mark-
ing the 25th anniversary of September 11,
including one establishing September 11 as a
citywide Day of Remembrance and Service.
He then reportedly asked NYPD Commis-
sioner Jessica Tisch to pass the ceremonial
pen to his chief counsel, Ramzi Kassem, who
previously represented an al-Qaida opera-
tive.
What message does that send?
September 11 is not a political prop. It is the
day nearly 3,000 innocent people were mur-
dered by Islamic terrorists. It is the day
countless families lost fathers, mothers, sons,
daughters and loved ones. It is the day fire-
fighters, police officers and first responders
made the ultimate sacrifice.
Those victims deserve dignity and respect.
Given Mamdani’s history and the controver-
sies surrounding his views on 9/11, I ques-
tion why he believes he should be the person
leading these commemorations. New York-
ers deserve leaders who understand that Sep-
tember 11 transcends politics.
For me, this is not something I can simply
forget. I remain deeply upset.
VT
VUES MASTER’S NOTE: Your concern is
understandable: September 11 should be
treated as a solemn commemoration of the
nearly 3,000 people who were murdered and
the first responders who sacrificed their lives,
not as a political opportunity. Given the con-
troversies surrounding Mamdani’s past com-
ments and his decision to involve his admin-
istration in the commemoration, it is
reasonable to question whether he is the ap-
propriate person to lead an event that de-
mands dignity, sensitivity, and respect for the
victims.
WAKE UP, JEWISH LEADERSHIP!
Dear Vues Master:
Memo to Jewish leadership: WAKE UP!!
For the last 60 years you have been sleeping.
Not a warning that the Anti-Semites under
the guise of liberalism and social justice have
taken over every sector of the critical ele-
ments of life in the United States. This is not
a local issue but a worldwide strategy to
eliminate and destroy the Jewish nation.
Whether it be the academic, economic or po-
litical spheres, each and every one of them is
now dominated and controlled by the Islam-
ic-Communist-Woke axis of evil.
With all the millions and billions of dollars
funneled into the Jewish advocacy and ser-
vice industry, not one whisper on the grow-
ing partnership massing forces against the
Jewish community and the values that have
sustained the Jewish community since the
formation of this country. Even worse, now
that those forces have openly disclosed their
intentions and begun implementing their
long developing strategy, still the crickets are
the only thing we hear.
Sure, fundraising letters are sent out and
press releases bemoan the situation. Attacks
against the Jewish people and their institu-
tions are seen as events to raise funds. You
use words such as, concerning, worrisome,
disturbing, and troubling to express your
sense of outrage. And when you get real up-
set, you add very or deeply to demonstrate
that you really mean business!!
Enough is enough!! You have been quiet and
submissive for too long. Parents worry when
their children go out to play or go to school.
Husbands worry when their wives go to
work or shop; wives worry when their hus-
bands go to Synagogue. To wear a yarmulke
or A Star of David around their neck has be-
come a major decision. A sense of fear per-
meates the community.
Where are our Jewish leaders? The time has
come to confront these forces of evil at every
level and wherever they may appear. The
community does not want to hear about con-
ferences, symposiums or retreats to discuss
the matter. We need action, and we need it
immediately!
Douglas Balin
Brooklyn, NY
VUES MASTER’S NOTE: We have many
Jewish leaders who actively voice their opin-
ions, and unfortunately many more who
don’t. May Hashem keep giving strength to
those who keep fighting our fight.
MAMDANI SHOULD STAY AWAY
FROM 9/11
Dear Vues Master,
I find it deeply troubling that Mayor Zohran
Mamdani plans to participate in events sur-
rounding the 25th anniversary of 9/11 this
weekend.
Let me be clear: 9/11 is not about politics,
parties, or personalities. It is about the nearly
3,000 innocent people who were murdered,
the firefighters, police officers, paramedics,
and other first responders who ran toward
danger, and the families who have carried
unimaginable pain for 25 years.
That is precisely why I believe the mayor
should have the sensitivity to recognize that
his presence may be deeply upsetting to
some of the families and survivors. This is
not an ordinary city ceremony. It is one of the
most solemn days in New York City’s histo-
ry.
When nearly 100,000 people have signed a
petition asking him not to attend, and fami-
lies of victims have publicly expressed their
objections, the mayor should listen.
There are countless ways for Mayor Mam-
dani to honor the victims, first responders,
and survivors without standing at the center
of a ceremony where his presence has be-
come a source of controversy.
A mayor should understand that sometimes
leadership means knowing when to step
aside.
The 9/11 memorial should be about the vic-
tims—not about the mayor. It should be a
day of remembrance, reflection, and unity,
not another political flashpoint.
Mayor Mamdani should respect the wishes
of those who lost loved ones and stay away
from the 9/11 ceremonies this weekend.
RT
VUES MASTER’S NOTE: Couldn’t agree
more!
SIMANIM: HAVE WE GONE TOO
FAR?
Dear Vues Master,
I absolutely love doing the simanim on Rosh
Hashanah. There is something special about
sitting around the table with family, eating
the traditional foods, making the brachos,
and wishing each other a year filled with
sweetness, health, parnassah, and good news.
But sometimes I think we take the simanim a
little too far!
Every year, people get more creative, and I
have seen some things that I never imagined
would have anything to do with Rosh Hasha-
nah.
Last year, I went to someone’s house for a
Rosh Hashanah meal, and sitting right in the
middle of the table was a sheep’s head! Yes,
an actual sheep’s head. I understand the sym-
bolism, but seeing a sheep staring at me
while I’m trying to enjoy my meal was defi-
nitely not what I expected!
The year before that, I went to someone’s
house where they had gummy bear heads as
one of the simanim. Gummy bears! I wasn’t
sure whether I was at a Rosh Hashanah seu-
dah or a children’s birthday party.
I appreciate the creativity, and I certainly ap-
preciate everyone’s desire to make the si-
manim meaningful. But sometimes I wonder
if we have entered the era of “anything goes”
when it comes to simanim.
Do we really need to turn every food into a
complicated symbol?
Give me some apples and honey, a pome-
granate, dates, fish, and a few traditional si-
manim, and I’m happy.
The beauty of Rosh Hashanah is that we
don’t need to go overboard. Sometimes the
simplest traditions are the most meaningful.
Wishing everyone a Shanah Tovah, a Kesiv-
ah V’Chasimah Tovah, and a sweet New
Year!
BS
VUES MASTER’S NOTE: I respectfully
disagree. A sheep’s head is actually a Sep-
hardi minhag and gummy bear heads- well-
that’s just more appealing than a sheep or
fish head!
THE IMPORTANCE OF
TEACHING HEBREW
Dear Vues Master
I am writing in response to Alan Blumen-
thal’s letter to the editor in the September 2-8
edition. I couldn’t agree more with his as-
sessment as to the lack of attention to teach-
ing Ivrit in the Yeshiva educational system.
The lack of focus of attention to this does
such a disservice to the Jewish population in
the US. I grew up in New York and went to
Yeshiva from 1st to 12th grade in the 1960s
and 1970s. And despite this extensive educa-
tion, my spoken Hebrew is still severely
lacking. I made Aliyah nearly 6 years ago. I
have struggled and continue to struggle with
my conversational Hebrew. When so many
Yeshiva high school students who graduate
go on to study in Israel in Yeshiva and semi-
nary, it is critical that the Yeshivas in Ameri-
ca do a better job not just preparing the stu-
dents in Limudei Kodesh, but also in being
able to speak conversational Hebrew.
Elia Weixelbaum
Rehovot, Israel
VUES MASTER’S NOTE: American Ye-
shivas should learn from Israeli schools.
Somehow their English skills are way better
than our students’ Hebrew skills, and yet
they don’t learn English for as many years as
we learn Hebrew!
ROSH HASHANA THAT FALLS
OUT ON SHABBOS
Dear Vues Master:
Last week, in a special sichah that HaRav
Shternbuch gave over to his talmidim, he
talked at length about “Rosh Hashanah that
falls on Shabbos,’ and brought the words of
the Chasam Sofer that in the year that the
shofar is not blown on the first day of Rosh
Hashanah, we need the zechus of Shabbos in
order to protect Am Yisrael instead of the
shofar.
Afterward, the Posek HaDor quoted the
frightening words of the Aruch L’Ner, say-
ing: “The Ba’al Aruch L’Ner calculated a
scary matter that in the years that Rosh Ha-
shanah falls out on Shabbos, Klal Yisrael had
either a very good year, like the year that the
Cheit Ha’egel was forgiven and the Mishkan
was established and they entered Eretz Yis-
rael, or chas v’shalom the opposite like the
two Churbanos Beis Hamikdash h’Rishon
vSheini which occurred in years when Rosh
Hashanah fell out on Shabbos.”
“And the Aruch L’Ner brought that due to the
fact that during these years, there is no teki-
yas shofar and we need the zechus Shabbos
in place of the shofar, the matter is dependent
on Kla Yisrael, for in the years they were
Shomer Shabbos properly, the Shabbos
vouched for Yisrael, but if chas v’chalilah,
they weren’t Shomer Shabbos properly, they
weren’t zocheh to this and the accusers
weren’t silenced.”
HaRav Shtenbuch added that in the year the
Chazon Ish passed away, Rosh Hashanah fell
out on Shabbos and his talmidim connected
his petirah to the fact that Rosh Hashanah
fell out on Shabbos and there were no teki-
yos to settle the Midas HaDin, and in accor-
dance with the words of the Aruch L’Ner that
the year that Rosh Hashanah falls out on
Shabbos is a very dangerous year.
HaRav Shternbuch concluded: “Therefore
this year it is appropriate to accept a kabbal-
ah tovah on Rosh Hashanah in a matter re-
lated to Kavod Shabbos such as learning
hilchos Shabbos throughout the year on a
regular basis or to dedicate more time to
learning Torah on Shabbos or to be mezakeh
harabbim in inspiring others to learn hilchos
Shabbos and to become proficient in them
and this will help that the kedushasha’Shabbos
will protect us to quiet the accusers.”
VUES MASTER’S NOTE: Thank you for
this letter and may we build up our Torah
learning throughout the entire year, not just
this upcoming Shabbos!
LET THE RABBIS
STAND FIRM
Dear Vues Master:
I strongly support the decision of
the Orthodox Vaad Harabanim of
Toronto regarding medically as-
sisted death. This is not a ques-
tion of whether we have compas-
sion for someone who is
suffering. Of course we do. The
question is whether we, as Jews, can allow
the growing acceptance of medically assisted
suicide to become normalized within our
community.
Halacha is clear about the sanctity of human
life. When society begins calling the inten-
tional ending of a life a medical treatment,
we have to be especially careful that our To-
rah values are not weakened by the standards
of the world around us.
The rabbis are not saying that families should
be abandoned or that people who are suffer-
ing should be treated without compassion.
Quite the opposite. A person facing tremen-
dous pain needs support, dignity, love and
appropriate medical and spiritual care. But
compassion does not mean compromising on
halacha.
I understand the concern that a family mem-
ber could be hurt by a policy involving a
relative’s decision. Every situation is painful
and complicated. But the answer cannot be
to blur the religious line because doing so
might be uncomfortable.
Our rabbanim have a responsibility not only
to comfort us but also to tell us the truth,
even when that truth is difficult to hear. If
medically assisted death is contrary to hala-
cha, our rabbinic leadership should have the
courage to say so clearly and publicly.
I commend the Toronto Vaad for taking a
principled stand. In a society where the value
of life is increasingly being redefined, we
need our rabbanim to stand firm and remind
us that every Jewish life has infinite value.
NT
VUES MASTER’S NOTE: The Vaad HaR-
abbanim of Toronto deserves credit for con-
fronting the growing reality of medically as-
sisted death and making clear that, according
to their understanding of halacha, taking
one’s own life cannot simply be treated as
another form of end-of-life care. At the same
time, this is an extraordinarily painful issue
for families, and the halachic prohibition
should be communicated with both firmness
and compassion rather than allowing those
facing unbearable suffering to feel aban-
doned.