06 Oct 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.
A MIRACLE IN THE SKIES
Dear Vues Master,
There are stories that are difficult to explain. The events
aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 are one of them.
A Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 174 people was flying from
Dubai to Tel Aviv when an apparent attack took place in the
cockpit. The co-pilot reportedly attacked and stabbed the cap-
tain, while the plane suddenly plunged thousands of feet in a
matter of seconds. Passengers were thrown around the cabin,
with some believing they were experiencing their final mo-
ments.
And yet, the plane landed safely.
Think about everything that had to happen for that to occur.
The wounded captain was apparently able to release the cock-
pit door. Passengers and crew reached the cockpit. An Israeli
passenger subdued the alleged attacker. And incredibly, addi-
tional pilots happened to be aboard the flight and were able to
help take control of the aircraft.
There is no other way to describe it: this was Yad Hashem.
And then comes the part that is almost impossible to compre-
hend.
This week marks three years since Simchas Torah and the
tragedy of October 7 — 10/7. The flight involved in this in-
credible story was Flight FZ1073.
10/7. Three years. Flight 1073.
That number alone is astonishing.
When you put everything together — 174 people, an attack in
the cockpit, a terrifying plunge, an Israeli passenger helping
subdue the attacker, additional pilots miraculously being
aboard, and then Flight 1073 during the week marking three
years since 10/7 — the message is impossible to miss.
Yad Hashem was clearly present in those skies.
Sometimes Hashem reminds us that even when everything
appears to be falling apart, He is right there.
RFR
Vues Master’s Note: This story is a true modern day miracle!
GOODBYE TO PASSPORT HEADACHES
Dear Vues Master,
I was thrilled to read about Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s
announcement that the days of the passport “nightmare” may
finally be coming to an end. For years, renewing or applying
for a passport has been an unnecessarily complicated process.
Filling out forms, getting passport photos, driving to the post
office, waiting in line, and then wondering when the passport
would arrive has been frustrating for millions of Americans.
People who travel to Eretz Yisrael on a regular basis will es-
pecially appreciate this improvement. For many families in
our community, international travel is a regular part of life,
and keeping passports current is essential. Having to go
through the entire passport process every time can be a major
headache. Being able to handle so much of it online will be a
tremendous convenience.
The new plan is exactly the kind of common-sense govern-
ment reform we should be demanding. Being able to complete
the passport application process online, take your photo using
your own phone or computer, and receive real-time updates on
your application would eliminate so much unnecessary bu-
reaucracy.
I especially like the idea of eventually having one online gov-
ernment portal for passport applications. Why should a simple
government service require paperwork, appointments, lines
and multiple trips?
This is what government should look like in the 21st century:
efficient, convenient and respectful of people’s time.
Credit where credit is due: Secretary Rubio deserves tremen-
dous credit for pushing this forward. This is the kind of Amer-
ica First reform that ordinary Americans can actually appreci-
ate in their everyday lives.
RTW
Vues Master’s Note: Let’s hope this makes the passport re-
newal process smoother. Next Up: The DMV!
IN SUPPORT OF THE DEATH PENALTY
Dear Vues Master,
I have no problem saying it clearly: I support the death pen-
alty for terrorists who deliberately murder innocent people,
and I support National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir in
his determination to see this policy implemented.
The recent video of Ben Gvir confronting Hamas terrorist
Hassan Salameh brought back painful memories. Salameh
was convicted for his role in the 1996 Jerusalem bus bomb-
ings, including the attacks on Route 18 that killed dozens of
innocent Israelis. He is serving multiple life sentences for his
crimes.
When Ben Gvir told Salameh, “I want to put you to death,”
many people immediately criticized his words. I understand
that there are disagreements over the death penalty and over
Ben Gvir’s approach. But I also believe we have to remember
who the victims were. They were fathers, mothers, children
and innocent people simply trying to go about their lives.
Israel has now enacted legislation providing for the death pen-
alty in certain cases involving Palestinians con-
victed of deadly terrorist attacks. The law has
generated significant debate and legal challeng-
es, but the basic question remains: What should
happen to someone who intentionally murders
innocent civilians because they are Israelis or
Jews?
I believe that someone who deliberately com-
mits mass murder should not be guaranteed a
lifetime behind bars, with the possibility that
one day he could become part of a prisoner ex-
change.
Terrorists need to understand that murdering in-
nocent people has the ultimate consequence.
I support Ben Gvir on this issue. Israel must
protect its citizens, remember its victims and
make clear that terrorism will never be reward-
ed.
NJ
Vues Master’s Note: We live in a society that
has more compassion for perpetrators than vic-
tims. It’s time we start focusing on the victims
and their families!
I JUST NEED TO ASK: WHY?
Dear Vues Master,
I have to admit that I had a difficult time under-
standing this Yom Tov. After waiting all year for
Rosh Hashanah and Sukkos, we finally arrived
at these special days, only to have Hashem make
it so difficult for us to fulfill some of the mitzvos
we look forward to all year.
On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, because it
fell on Shabbos, we did not have the opportunity
to hear the shofar. Then came Sukkos, and the
rain seemed almost endless. There were times
when sitting in the sukkah was extremely diffi-
cult, and for many of us, it felt as though the
weather was preventing us from properly enjoy-
ing and fulfilling the mitzvah of sukkah.
I found myself asking: Why?
Yidden look forward to these mitzvos for
months. We prepared our shofars, built our suk-
kahs, bought our arbaah minim and spent so
much time getting ready. We wanted to stand in
shul and hear the shofar. We wanted to sit in the
sukkah, eat our meals and feel the kedushah of
Yom Tov.
And yet this year, it almost felt as if Hashem
was saying, “Not now.”
Of course, we know that everything Hashem
does has a reason, even when we cannot under-
stand it. Perhaps there was a message here that
we were supposed to think about. Maybe Hash-
em was reminding us that the mitzvah is not only
about the experience we want to have, but about
serving Him even when things do not go the way
we hoped.
Still, I cannot pretend I understood it.
All I could do was daven that next year we
would merit hearing the shofar and sitting com-
fortably in our sukkahs—and appreciate those
mitzvos even more.
BY
Vues Master’s Note: I believe the message is
clear: Even when we don’t get our way, we have
to have emunah that Hashem has His reasons.
Even when we don’t understand the “why,” we
still need to believe that there is most definitely
a reason!
A YOM TOV CONCERT IN SHUL
Dear Vues Master,
Lately, I have noticed something changing in
the way we daven on Yom Tov. In my shul, the
davening has become almost like a concert, with
the newest and most popular niggunim from
some of the biggest Jewish music artists of the
day.
I have to admit that I am not exactly sure how I
feel about it.
On one hand, I can certainly understand the
positive side. Music has a tremendous ability to
inspire people. A beautiful niggun can bring
someone into the davening, help create excite-
ment, and give people a feeling of being con-
nected to the tefillah. For some people, hearing a
familiar and moving melody may help them
concentrate and feel more involved.
But sometimes I wonder if we are going too far.
There are moments during Yom Tov davening
when I find myself thinking more about the mu-
sic than the words. Instead of feeling that I am
standing before the Ribbono Shel Olam, I some-
times feel as if I am sitting at a concert listening
to the latest hit.
Perhaps the answer is not to eliminate the music
or the beautiful niggunim. Maybe the answer is
finding the right balance.
Davening should be inspiring, but it should also
retain its kedushah. We should be careful that
the excitement surrounding a new niggun, the
singing and the performance never becomes
more important than the tefillah itself.
I am certainly not suggesting that music has no
place in davening. I am simply asking myself—
and perhaps all of us—whether our Yom Tov
davening is bringing us closer to Hashem, or
sometimes making us forget why we came to
shul in the first place.
BT
Vues Master’s Note: I think you answered your
own question: “Music has a tremendous ability
to inspire people. A beautiful niggun can bring
someone into the davening, help create excite-
ment, and give people a feeling of being con-
nected to the tefillah.” If that doesn’t work for
you, then perhaps you need to find a new min-
yan.
A TEFILLAH FOR A SOLDIER
Dear Vues Master,
The topic of the State of Israel and the IDF will
bring many opinions to the coffee room or
lounge. I have not come to discuss these topics,
but only to point out two things that I believe
98% of “The Velt”/Jewish society agrees with. (I
do not believe there is anything that every single
frum Jew agrees with other than the validity of
the Torah.)
1. Every Yid should daven for the safety of Jew-
ish soldiers. (I will not discuss whether or not a
separate ךְַרֵּב ֶׁש יִמ should be made for them.)
2. The soldiers in the IDF are in great danger of
falling in ruchniyus. I have heard frightening
percentages regarding the number of frum sol-
diers who stop keeping Shabbos, including cer-
tain communities where the percentages are re-
portedly above 50%.
Putting these two things together, I think we
should come to the מסקנא/conclusion that we
should also daven for their ruchniyus.
This past summer, I was speaking to a bochur
from Mercaz Harav in Eretz Yisrael, who him-
self plans to go into the army. He told me that his
brother was already serving in the army. I asked
him for his brother’s name so that I could daven
for his brother’s physical safety. He told me,
“Daven for Yiras Shomayim.”
I explained to him that it is dangerous in the
army, and again he told me, “Just daven for
Yiras Shomayim.”
Today, I daven for both his spiritual and physi-
cal protection — וגשמיות רוחניות — and I en-
courage “The Velt” to do the same.
כח יישר/Thank you.
Sincerely,
A Voice
Vue’s Master’s Note: It’s beautiful he asked
you to daven for Yiras Shamayim, but he
could’ve given you his brother’s name, as well!
A BEAUTIFUL CHOL HAMOED
CONCERT
Dear Vues Master,
I wanted to take a moment to say how beautiful
the Eitan Katz concert at Kings Theatre was over
Chol Hamoed Sukkos. It was truly a special eve-
ning and, in my opinion, a tremendous Kiddush
Hashem.
The atmosphere in the theater was incredible.
From the beginning until the end, there was such
a great vibe. Everyone was enjoying themselves,
singing along, and so many people were stand-
ing up and dancing. You could look around the
theater and see people of all ages simply having
a wonderful time together.
At one point, Eitan Katz made a great comment
that brought a smile to everyone. He pointed out
that they were performing at “Kings” Theatre —
and on Chol Hamoed, with thousands of Jewish
people together celebrating and dancing, it cer-
tainly felt like the right place to be.
There was something especially appropriate
about having such a beautiful evening of Jewish
music during Chol Hamoed. Sukkos is a time of
simcha, and that simcha was clearly felt through-
out Kings Theatre. The crowd was enthusiastic,
but the atmosphere remained respectful and up-
lifting.
It was also a beautiful reminder of the power of
Jewish music to bring people together. For one
evening, thousands of people put everything
aside and simply enjoyed being together, cele-
brating Jewish music and Yom Tov.
Eitan Katz deserves tremendous credit for put-
ting on such a memorable performance. It was a
beautiful Chol Hamoed evening and a tremen-
dous Kiddush Hashem.
AC
Vues Master’s Note: In the words of Rabbi
Schneur Zalman of Liadi: “If words are the pen
of the heart, then song is the pen of the soul.”
MAMDANI’S EMPTY RHETORIC
Dear Vues Master,
It is encouraging that Mayor Zohran Mamdani
has recognized that antisemitism is a serious
problem in New York City and has released a
strategy to combat it. Any effort to address the
alarming rise of Jew-hatred deserves to be taken
seriously.
But for the Orthodox Jewish community, words
and reports are not enough. We need real safety.
Visibly Jewish men, women and children are
often the most identifiable targets of antisemi-
tism. Our children walk to yeshiva. Families
walk to shul. Jewish men and women travel
through the streets wearing a yarmulke, sheitel
or other visibly Jewish clothing. They need to
know that the city will protect them.
That means meaningful security funding for
shuls, yeshivos and other Jewish institutions,
uncompromising enforcement when antisemitic
incidents occur, and clear condemnation of anti-
semitism regardless of which political group or
ideology promotes it.
There is also a question of priorities. The city
has announced $1 million for security at houses
of worship while allocating $2.5 million for the
Center for New Jewish Culture. Cultural initia-
tives certainly have value, but when Jewish
families are worried about their physical safety,
security must be treated as an urgent priority.
We should also expect our city leadership to
avoid rhetoric or policies that contribute to hos-
tility toward Jews and to reject the normalization
of those who promote antisemitic ideas.
The Jewish community does not need symbolic
gestures. We need protection, enforcement and
leadership that understands what Jewish New
Yorkers are experiencing every day.
HT
Vues Master’s Note: As the saying goes: “Ac-
tions speak louder than words.”
BILLBOARD IN TIMES SQUARE
Dear Vues Master,
I am sick about this. Seeing a massive electronic
billboard in the heart of Times Square proclaim-
ing, “Netanyahu Does Not Represent American
Jews,” “Zionism Is Not Judaism,” and “Not in
Our Name” is deeply upsetting to me.
According to reports, the campaign was orga-
nized by Natruna and funded by Satmar-affiliated
donors. It came immediately after Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United Na-
tions and sharply criticized New York City Mayor
Zohran Mamdani.
People are certainly entitled to disagree with Ne-
tanyahu, Israel’s government, or particular Israeli
policies. But when Jews use one of the most visi-
ble advertising spaces in the world to tell millions
of people that Zionism is not Judaism and that Is-
rael’s prime minister does not represent American
Jews, I have to ask: What message are we sending
to the world?
At a time when Jews are already facing tremen-
dous pressure over Israel and antisemitism, why
would anyone spend tens of thousands of dollars
publicly separating themselves from the Jewish
state and from the overwhelming connection that
so many American Jews have to Israel?
If someone does not personally identify as a Zi-
onist, that is their right. But I do not understand
the need to broadcast it to the entire world, par-
ticularly under an Orthodox Jewish banner.
We can have disagreements within Klal Yisrael.
We always have. But there is a difference between
debating one another and publicly providing am-
munition to those who would love nothing more
than to see Jews divided. I am sick about this—
not because every Jew has to agree, but because at
a time when Jewish unity matters so much, this is
exactly the wrong message to be sending. RI
JUST WHAT THE READER
ORDERED!
Dear Vues Master,
I wanted to take a moment to say how much my
family and I enjoyed the Yom Tov recipes in the
Jewish Vues’ “Just What the Kosher Ordered”
column.
With all the cooking and preparing that goes into
Yom Tov, it is always great to have new recipes to
try, and these recipes were a real hit in our house.
The Delmonico Steak was absolutely amazing. It
was delicious, and my entire family enjoyed it. It
was one of those dishes that everyone kept talking
about after the meal. We will definitely be making
it again.
The Kahlua Cake was also delicious. It was a fan-
tastic dessert and another recipe that disappeared
quickly from our table. It is always nice when a
recipe not only sounds good on paper but actually
lives up to expectations when you serve it to your
family.
And we are already looking forward to trying the
Honey Mustard Tuna Salad for Chol Hamoed. Af-
ter all the Yom Tov meals, it sounds like it will be
a perfect addition to our Chol Hamoed menu.
I really appreciate that the Vues continues to in-
clude useful, family-friendly recipes. Sometimes
the best recipes are the ones that you can actually
make at home and that everyone enjoys.
So thank you to the people behind “Just What the
Kosher Ordered.” Keep the recipes coming!
My family is already waiting to see what will be
featured next!
BT
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks for the positive
feedback. We will let Michele and Lea know!
WHAT A CHILUL HASHEM
Dear Vues Master,
I am still bothered by the sight of Mayor Zohran
Mamdani sitting in sukkahs in Williamsburg and
Crown Heights during Sukkos. I understand that
some people believe in political outreach and that
elected officials should be welcomed into our
communities. But there has to be a line, and for
me, having Mamdani welcomed as a guest into a
Jewish sukkah crossed that line.
This is the same mayor whose long record of anti-
Israel statements and positions has caused tremen-
dous concern among many Jews. His views on
Israel and Zionism have been deeply troubling to
many in our community, particularly at a time
when Jews are still dealing with the aftermath of
October 7 and rising antisemitism in New York.
A sukkah is not a City Hall meeting. It is not a
political office. It is a place where we sit with our
families, celebrate Sukkos and invite our Ush-
pizin. It represents our Yiddishkeit and our con-
nection to Hakadosh Baruch Hu.
Just like Mamdani should not be invited to
Eichler’s in Boro Park, I don’t understand why he
should be invited into our sukkahs. Our sukkah
should not become a political stage. Seeing some-
one whose political record has caused such deep
pain among so many Jews being welcomed into
the heart of our Yom Tov celebrations was, in my
opinion, a tremendous Chilul Hashem.
We can speak to politicians. We can meet with
them. We can advocate for our community. But
welcoming someone into the heart of our Yom
Tov sends a very different message.
Not every photo-op belongs inside our sukkah.
SA
Vues Master’s Note: Many Jews treated Hitler
with respect and graciousness before the Holo-
caust. Look where it got them…