23 Sep SPEAK YOUR VUES WITH THE VUES MASTER
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views, please write a letter to the Vues Master.
REMEMBERING RAV CHAIM YISROEL
WEINFELD ZT”L
Dear Vues Master:
I was very saddened to hear about the petirah of Rav Chaim
Yisroel Weinfeld zt”l.
I grew up right around the corner from his shul in Flatbush. I did
not have a personal relationship with the Rav, and I never had
much to do with him other than the occasional “Good Shabbos”
or “Gut Yom Tov” when I would see him.
Yet there was something very striking about Rav Weinfeld. Ev-
erywhere you went, people spoke about him with tremendous
respect and admiration. You heard about his hasmadah, his Torah
knowledge, his dedication to his kehillah, and, perhaps most im-
portantly, the way he cared about people.
Even though I did not know him personally, I always knew that
there was something special about the Rav. His shul was a famil-
iar part of the neighborhood, and he was a familiar and respected
figure to so many people who lived around him.
Sometimes, you can learn a lot about a person without actually
knowing him. You can learn it from the way people talk about
him, the way they describe him, and the respect they have for
him.
The suddenness of his petirah makes the loss even more painful.
A longtime Rav who spent decades serving his kehillah and
dedicating himself to Torah and to others was suddenly taken
from us.
May his family, talmidim and all of Khal Toras Chaim
D’Flatbush be comforted among the mourners of Tzion and
Yerushalayim.
Vues Master’s Note: Yehi zichro baruch.
TWO IMPORTANT SUKKOS REMINDERS
Dear Vues Master:
Please note that on the first 2 nights of Sukkos (1st night in Eretz
Yisroel) the kzayis of challah needs to be eaten without delay –
b’kdei achilas pras; within a minimum of two minutes and a
maximum of nine minutes. (Mishnah Brura 639:22)
In addition, every time we initiate a new yeshivas sukkah one
should have in mind to fulfill mitzvas sukkah – ‘Kaasher tziva
HaShem’ and that it is to remind us of the Ananei Hakavod
which provided us with protection and comfort. (Mishnah Brura
625:1)
Chag Someyach!
DY
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks for the reminder! Wishing all a
good Yom Tov/Chag Sameach!
THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN INNA
VERNIKOV
Dear Vues Master:
I wanted to commend Councilwoman Inna Vernikov for saying
what too many elected officials were unwilling to say about
Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Jewish students from Ramaz and SAR had planned to gather
outside Gracie Mansion for tefillah, to express their Jewish
pride, their support for Israel and their desire to feel safe in New
York City. The students were not coming to cause trouble. They
were coming to pray and publicly declare, “We’re here. We’re
Jewish. We want to be safe.”
And what did the mayor say when asked whether he would meet
them? He said he welcomed them, but that he would “probably
be somewhere else across the city.”
That response spoke volumes.
As Councilwoman Vernikov pointed out, Mamdani had plenty
of time for social-media appearances and political messaging,
but apparently could not make himself available when Jewish
students were gathering outside his own residence to raise their
voices against antisemitism.
This was especially disappointing because the mayor was not
being asked to agree with every political position of the students.
He was being given an opportunity to meet Jewish children who
were telling their mayor that they wanted to feel safe in their
own city.
Instead, he chose to be “somewhere else.”
Councilwoman Vernikov deserves credit for refusing to sugar-
coat the situation. She had repeatedly challenged Mamdani over
his treatment of Jewish concerns, including criticizing his public
positioning toward Israel.
New York’s Jewish community needed leadership that showed
up, not leadership that disappeared when Jewish students came
knocking.
Thank you, Councilwoman Vernikov, for showing up and speak-
ing up.
Gmar Tov.
IW
Vues Master’s Note: I’m almost certain that if a Muslim school
came to pray in front of Gracie Mansion, Mamdani would have
been right there praying with them.
Councilwoman Inna Vernikov is not afraid to say what she be-
lieves, and Jewish New Yorkers are lucky to have her voice.
ANOTHER SHIDDUCH REQUIREMENT
Dear Vues Master:
I recently heard a story that I just had to share with your readers.
The daughter of a good friend of mine is at the age
when everyone starts asking the famous question:
“So… what kind of boy is she looking for?” Ap-
parently, she has made her requirements very
clear. She wants to go out with a Shor Yashuv guy.
Why Shor Yashuv?
It turns out she is a HUGE Eitan Katz fan.
Now, I understand wanting a boy who is a serious
ben Torah, has good middos and is heading in the
right direction. But apparently, there is another
qualification that has entered the equation: Eitan
Katz.
According to the story I heard, there is even a ru-
mor that Eitan Katz gives Shor Yashuv guys a 50
percent discount on chasunas. I have no idea if
this is true, and I certainly hope nobody calls Eitan
Katz’s accountant to verify it. But if it IS true, I
can understand why this girl has narrowed the
shidduch search!
Her parents may be looking for a boy with good
middos, yiras Shamayim and a good personality.
Their daughter, however, seems to have added one
more question to the list:
“Is he from Shor Yashuv?” If the answer is yes,
she may already be reaching for her Eitan Katz
playlist.
At this rate, I’m thinking of becoming a Shor Yas-
huv guy myself. A 50 percent chasunah discount is
not something you hear about every day!
AC
Vues Master’s Note: To be blunt: This is abso-
lutely ridiculous and I seriously hope you’re jok-
ing. No wonder there’s a “shidduch crisis.”
IN NEED OF A SEAT CHANGE
Dear Vues Master:
I have a small problem in shul that I suspect I am
not the only one experiencing.
I have a very hard time sitting next to someone
who reads every single word out loud along with
the bal koreh.
I understand that some people like to follow every
word carefully. I understand that it may help
someone concentrate or keep his place. And I cer-
tainly have nothing against someone quietly fol-
lowing along.
But when the person sitting next to me is practi-
cally competing with the bal koreh, it becomes
very difficult to concentrate.
The bal koreh says a word, and my neighbor im-
mediately says the same word.
The bal koreh continues, my neighbor continues.
By the time we reach the end of the aliyah, I feel
like I have been sitting between two baalei keriah!
I find myself wondering whether I am supposed to
be listening to the official bal koreh or the gentle-
man sitting three inches away from me who seems
determined to provide his own personal audio
track.
The worst part is that I don’t want to say anything.
He is not doing anything wrong, and I certainly
don’t want to embarrass anyone in shul. So I just
sit there trying to focus while hearing the parshah
twice, once from the bimah and once from the seat
next to me.
Maybe I am overly sensitive, but I would love to
know if anyone else has this problem.
Perhaps the next time I choose a seat, I should
make sure I am sitting far enough away from the
“backup bal koreh.”
VT
Vues Master’s Note: I’m having a hard time em-
pathizing with you. It may be irritating but your
neighbor is doing his best to follow along. Maybe
he’s a little hard of hearing and is actually reading
the words, not repeating them. How about a little
v’ahavta l’reicha kamocha and find the good in
this situation?
KEEP YOUR EYE OFF THE CLOCK
Dear Vues Master
On Yom Kippur, I witnessed something that really
made me think. After davening, I overheard two
chazzanim talking about how long they had been
davening. They were comparing the length of
their tefillos and discussing how much time had
been spent leading the kehillah.
It reminded me of something I once heard about a
rabbi who had a very interesting approach before
the Yomim Noraim. He would call all of the baalei
tefillah of his shul together before Yom Tov and
give them a very simple message: Get rid of your
clocks.
His point was that a shaliach tzibbur should not be
constantly looking at the clock or worrying about
how long the davening is taking. Instead, he want-
ed them to concentrate on the tefillah, the meaning
of the words and the tremendous responsibility
they had in leading the kehillah on the holiest days
of the year.
The rabbi would even keep track himself of how
long the davening lasted over Yom Tov, so the
chazzanim wouldn’t have to worry about watch-
ing the clock or being distracted while davening.
I think there is a tremendous lesson here. Of
course, a shul has to be considerate of the kehillah,
and nobody wants davening to become unneces-
sarily long. But on Yom Kippur, when we are
standing before HaKadosh Baruch Hu, perhaps
we should be less concerned about the clock and
more concerned about the tefillah.
I think every shul should consider adopting this
approach. Let the chazzan daven. Let the kehillah
daven. And let us worry a little less about the
clock.
TC
Vues Master’s Note: This reminds me of the
post-Seder conversations at shul: How long did
your Seder last? We finished at 12…1…2! Why is
any of this a competition?
A NICE, LONG CHOL HAMOED
Dear Vues Master:
Can we take a moment to appreciate how great
Chol Hamoed is this year?
For once, the calendar really worked in our favor.
Chol Hamoed is earlier than usual, and even bet-
ter, it falls out Monday through Thursday. No
Chol Hamoed days are being interrupted by Shab-
bos in the middle!
That makes such a difference. Families can actu-
ally plan a full four-day Chol Hamoed without
having to stop everything, come home for Shab-
bos, and then start all over again. There is some-
thing very nice about having Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday available to enjoy with
the family.
Hopefully, the weather will cooperate as well. Af-
ter all the planning, the last thing anyone needs is
four days of rain!
I have a feeling that a lot of people will be heading
up to the Catskills this Chol Hamoed. Between the
beautiful scenery, fresh air, family time and all the
Chol Hamoed attractions, it is a great opportunity
to get away for a few days.
For those staying home, there will certainly be
plenty going on locally as well. But there is some-
thing special about getting out of the city, relaxing
a little and spending quality time with family.
Chol Hamoed is one of those times when we
should try to put away the phones, forget about
work for a few days and enjoy the Yom Tov.
So here’s hoping for beautiful weather, safe trav-
els, happy children and a wonderful Chol Hamoed
for everyone. Let’s enjoy it!
DH
Vues Master’s Note: Yes, this is the perfect cal-
endar for Chol HaMoed! Wishing everyone a Gut-
ten Moed and hope our readers enjoy both the
Yom Tov and the Moed!
TRUMP MEETS MAMDANI
Dear Vues Master:
I have to admit that I was disappointed seeing
President Trump meeting with Mayor Zohran
Mamdani at Gracie Mansion.
I understand that the president has to deal with
elected officials from across the political spec-
trum. I understand that New York City has major
issues involving housing, infrastructure, federal
funding and affordability, and that the president
and mayor have to communicate about those is-
sues.
But seeing Trump sitting there with Mamdani,
smiling, shaking hands and speaking so warmly
about him was difficult for me to watch.
This was not simply a meeting in Washington.
Trump actually came to Gracie Mansion to meet
with Mamdani, making this their third face-to-
face meeting. Their first two meetings had taken
place at the White House.
I realize that politics sometimes requires people to
sit across the table from those with whom they
strongly disagree. Presidents have to work with
mayors, governors and foreign leaders whether
they agree with them or not. That is part of gov-
erning.
Still, as someone who has followed President
Trump closely, I would have preferred to see more
distance between him and Mamdani rather than
the warm interaction we saw.
Maybe I am old-fashioned, but sometimes appear-
ances matter too.
Of course, President Trump has his job to do, and
Mamdani has his. Hopefully, whatever comes out
of these discussions will benefit the people of
New York.
But as for the meeting itself, I have to say: I didn’t
like seeing it.
A Concerned New Yorker
Vues Master’s Note: I wouldn’t be too con-
cerned… This is politics, after all, where people
smile at you while simultaneously back stabbing
you!
TIE DOWN THAT SUKKAH!
Dear Vues Master
I have to admit that with the weather forecast call-
ing for wind and rain leading up to Sukkos, I have
been getting a little nervous about my sukkah. Af-
ter all the preparation, shopping, building and
decorating, the last thing anyone wants is to worry
about whether the sukkah will be ready and
whether the weather will cooperate.
I was therefore very relieved when my rabbi sent
out a message addressing some of the common
questions people have been asking about the an-
ticipated wind and rain.
He explained that someone who will be away for
the first days may wait until Chol Hamoed to put
up the sukkah. He also explained that decorations
may be put up on Chol Hamoed.
Another interesting point was that the 2x4s sup-
porting the schach may be secured to the frame,
including with zip ties. However, when it comes
to securing the schach itself, we would not use a
sukkah where the schach is secured with zip ties.
A person may tie the schach in advance of Sukkos
and then remove the zip ties before Sukkos. He
should then move the schach slightly, as though
putting up the schach anew.
I found the message very helpful and reassuring.
There are always so many questions before Suk-
kos, especially when the weather forecast creates
additional uncertainty. It is comforting to have a
rabbi who takes the time to answer these practical
shailos and explain the halachos clearly.
Now, all I can do is hope that the rain stays away
when we need it to—and that we all have a beauti-
ful, kosher and joyous Sukkos.
BT
Vues Master’s Note: This is valuable informa-
tion. Thanks for sharing!
AOC IN THE RUNNING!
Dear Vues Master
The news that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is
considering a possible presidential campaign in
2028 should concern every Jewish American. In
my opinion, her political record and many of her
statements demonstrate extremely poor judgment,
and the thought of someone like AOC sitting in
the Oval Office is frightening.
AOC has become one of the most prominent voic-
es on the far left, and her positions on Israel and
other issues have repeatedly raised serious con-
cerns among many Jewish Americans. At a time
when antisemitism is already a major problem, we
need leaders who understand the importance of
Israel’s security and who will stand firmly against
hatred directed at Jews.
I sometimes listen to AOC and simply shake my
head. Some of the things she says and the posi-
tions she takes seem so disconnected from reality
that I find it difficult to understand how anyone
could want her leading the United States. I don’t
believe she has demonstrated the judgment neces-
sary for a position as consequential as the presi-
dency.
AOC is only 36, and she has now acknowledged
that a presidential run is “within consideration.”
That means Jewish voters should start paying at-
tention now rather than waiting until 2028.
If AOC does become the Democratic nominee or
ultimately becomes president, I believe the Jewish
community could find itself facing very serious
challenges. We cannot take that possibility lightly.
We need to know where every candidate stands—
and then make our own informed decisions.
JY
Vues Master’s Note: This is one of the scariest
letters I have ever read…
THE OFFICE THAT VANDALIZED
ITSELF
Dear Vues Master
On June 5, 2024, twelve pro-Hamas students at
Stanford University invaded and ransacked the of-
fice of the university’s president. They smashed
windows, furniture, and security cameras; spray-
painted anti-Israel and anti-America slogans; and
splashed fake blood throughout the premises. The
university calculated that they caused $329,000 in
damages. Yet not one of them will serve a single
day in jail.
One of the twelve vandals agreed to testify against
his comrades, confirming to a grand jury what was
obvious: the president’s office did not vandalize
itself. The remaining eleven were charged with
vandalism and conspiracy to trespass charges. It
should have been an open-and-shut case. The
prosecution, however, quickly agreed to plea
deals with six of them, which let them off without
jail time.
The remaining five went on trial earlier this year.
When the trial opened, the Associated Press called
it “a rare instance of demonstrators facing trial for
actions from the wave of campus protests that
year”—a reminder of the kid-gloves treatment
that most pro-Hamas protesters enjoyed, even
when they were violent.
This week, the jury in the case deadlocked. Appar-
ently some of the jurors believed the Stanford of-
fice vandalized itself.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta responded
by dropping the charges in exchange for the
Hamas supporters doing community service and
paying a combined fine of $52,000— less than
one-sixth of the damage the university said they
caused.
One final note to keep this all in perspective,
however. News reports about the Stanford case
this week noted that a total of about 3,000 people
were arrested in pro-Hamas rallies on college
campuses in 2023-2024.
There are over 19 million college students in the
United States. Meaning that 0.01% of them were
arrested in pro-Hamas protests. Not one percent.
Not one-tenth of one percent. One one-hundredth
of one percent. That’s not what one could call a
mass movement—as further demonstrated that the
pro-Hamas protests vanished, almost overnight,
when the 2023-2024 school year ended.
Dr. Rafael Medoff
VUES MASTER’S NOTES: So that little stint
cost the university $277,000! Insane!
PICTURES
Dear Vues Master,
As we reflect on the beauty and holiness of Suk-
kos, I feel compelled to share a concern that has
been on my mind for several years now. It has be-
come increasingly common for people to hang
large, decorative pictures of living Gedolim in
their sukkahs, sometimes alongside the traditional
images of the Ushpizin, or even in a more central
place. Let me be clear: I have the utmost respect
for our Gedolim.
Their wisdom and guidance are pillars of our
communities. However, turning their images into
sukkah “decorations” feels deeply uncomfortable
and perhaps even inappropriate.
The sukkah is meant to be a space of humility,
spiritual focus, and deep connection to Hashem.
The mitzvah of sukkah reminds us of the Clouds
of Glory and the temporary nature of life, empha-
sizing reliance on Hashem, not on human great-
ness.
There is a clear difference between learning from
Gedolim and venerating their photos in a decora-
tive or almost iconic manner. Elevating images of
living individuals to a central part of our spiritual
space risks blurring lines that our mesorah has al-
ways been careful to preserve. There are also hala-
chic and hashkafic sensitivities to consider. Chazal
and Poskim have long warned against behaviors
that resemble avodah zarah, or that might lead to
misunderstandings, especially among children. I
urge readers to think twice before decorating their
sukkahs with photos of living Gedolim. Let us
honor our leaders by learning their Torah and fol-
lowing their guidance, not by hanging their por-
traits in ways that may distort true kavod haTorah.
L.Y.
Vues Master’s Note: In my sukkah, we have pic-
tures of our children, the future Gedolim!
AIRLINES
Dear Vues Master,
Boarding a flight to Israel on El Al should mark
the beginning of a meaningful journey. But that
joy can be crushed in seconds when the seat in
front of you suddenly reclines.
Let’s be honest, there is no room. These planes are
packed, and seat pitch is shrinking. Reclining may
be your “right,” but it crushes the knees of the per-
son behind you and ruins their experience.
We all want to be comfortable, but not at the ex-
pense of someone else’s basic space. So here’s a
simple request: on crowded flights like these, es-
pecially long-hauls, please stay upright, or at least
check before leaning back.
Let’s start the trip with mutual respect, not bruised
knees.
BH
Vues Master’s Note: Going to Eretz Yisroel, the
Gemara says it is nikneis b’yisurin! So your knee
will be in pain!
WELCOME RAV CHAIM YISROEL TO
SHOMAYIM – A TRIBUTE TO RAV
CHAIM YISROEL
WEINFELD ZT”L
Dear Vues Master
The 24 hour lamp burns and This year ,this Yom
Kippur it burns so much longer- And it seems that
it will never stop. The grief that accompanies this
flickering light Is beyond description
The subject of this grief was a person Beyond
imagination. The proud gait as he walked to shul
for the Haskomoh Minyan
At 8:30 as he returned from shul I would see him
He bowed his head to me in passing when he saw
me. And that was enough- as I wished him a good
day -No words needed to be said- for he was a
man who did not speak unless it was words of
Torah. And so I understood this when he nodded
and thus “greeted me” He was not a man of many
words- Those words which we simply banter
around. He wasn’t a man of any foolish words oh
no. But when it came to Torah- he was a man of
words abounding Pearls of wisdom culled from
various sources Were what he spoke about. It’s
what he lived in every moment in every breath of
his Much too short a span of time on this Earth.
He “lived “ in his shul- he read the weekly sedrah
not once but Twice in his shul-he learned with his
kehillah- Every Shabbos he spoke before Mussaf
-He had several seforim with paper markers as he
quoted each word Not as if they were his own but
bshem omro- and then expounded on these divrei
Torah that he read to us. He did not speak long –
he never did :his message was short but always on
the mark. The walls of the Shul are crying today-
they will never be comforted. As we his mispall-
elim will never be truly comforted. And certainly
neither will his wonderful family Nor will his
Almana-Mimi, the devoted one who was truly a
reflection of him- as if they were looking at each
others image in a mirror.
The walls are crying – as are all of us-but these
walls – these walls have had the honor of hearing
him for so many years These walls really knew
him. And if walls could talk- we would be amazed
at all they would tell us- The wonders of this man-
the concern for all Yiden but especially for his
Kehillah. The chesed he did; the caring he showed
and his love for Yidden and his thirst for TORAH.
You could see it in his eyes- The walls- those for-
tunate walls could tell it all. For they were there
and they saw it and heard it Those walls have ab-
sorbed. The Torah of this person- the Gadlus of
this Tzadik Hador
THOSE FORTUNATE WALLS -THEY WIT-
NESSED IT ALL AND NOW HE IS GONE
Suddenly plucked from this earth in a swift mo-
ment- if a moment can be swifter than a normal
moment-it was We sit here bewildered, saying,
“What has happened here?” We are in shock and
we are enveloped in sadness. While the malachim
in Shomayim are dancing with glee. As Rav
Chaim Yisroel will now be learning wth Hakadosh
Baruch Hu. How lucky is everyone in Shomayim.
But how sad are we – how we suffer ,how we
grieve How we cry And how we can’t wait for the
time when Mashiach will come. When all our
pain and all the suffering in this world will end.
And yes we will rejoice once more When
Mashiach Comes!
Rachel Laufer Fischer
Vues Master’s Note:Yehi Zichro Baruch.