27 Jun SPEAK YOUR VUES WITH THE VUES MASTER
BEING A POSITIVE LIGHT TO OTHERS
Dear Vues Master:
Referring back to an article placed in the Jewish Vues dur-
ing the winter vacation exodus to Florida, Rabbi Efrem
Goldberg brought to light an issue that must be transplanted
up the coast to the northeast into Sullivan County Catskills
for the summer, (and all year as well). The Sullivan County
Catskills is overwhelmed with over 500,000 of our fellow
yidden in all categories of observance. Some are outwardly
recognizable, but others, like myself who mix in with the
locals, constantly hear antisemitism. The area has become
a haven for our fellow Jews, but the locals, although they
gain hugely from our presence, despise us with a passion.
It is our responsibility, each and every bochur, Rabbi, man
and woman and child, to be courteous no matter what the
circumstances are. Antisemitism has reached insane pro-
portions. Sadly, as witnessed, our chevra create a chillul
Hashem by acts of entitlement, ignoring rules of the road,
as well as parking anywhere they choose, handicap, NO
PARKING, etc., over and over again! It is up to each and
every single one of us to go above and beyond to appreci-
ate how lucky we are to have this beautiful place to enjoy,
full or part time. The askanim and rabbanim do not imply
their followers to behave. They look to have funds brought
to their batai midrashim and ignore the surrounding and
oftentimes dangerous issues. I am speaking as a full time
resident having witnessed our tribe consistently ignoring all
the rules and regulations, and hearing first hand the hate
from not only non Jews, but many non observant Jews as
well. Let us show appreciation for all that we have and RE-
SPECT and PROTECT as best as possible each and every
one of our chevra. Wishing all a healthy, happy and safe
summer.
Faigi E.
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks for writing this in. I couldn’t
have said it better myself!
PARKING
Dear Vues Master:
Why is there no parking upstate? South Fallsburg is a mess.
Woodbourne is a mess. The 4 corners are a mess. Loch
Sheldrake is a mess. You would think that they would make
some more parking lots!
CY
Vues Master’s Note: It’s absolutely ridiculous! I know they
want to give us tickets when we double park.
MOUNTAIN FOOD
Dear Vues Master
I just went into the new Mountain Food store in Monticello.
It was great. The shopping experience was really nice. I
hope they don’t raise their prices now. They were always
one of the most affordable groceries upstate.
Vues Master’s Note: These days I feel everything is expen-
sive! They are only open ten weeks a year so I’m sure they
are not going to be cheap. They have a lot of expenses to
recoup.
MISSED OPP OF COVID
Dear Vues Master:
It seems like a lifetime ago, but COVID struck the world
less than two years ago. The world was shut down, mil-
lions died, and life was altered forever. Today we all carry
around some trauma from those years of sequestration, so-
cial absence, and fear. Some experienced anger and frus-
tration over the government and social pressures. No one
came out of COVID as they came into it. With some space
between us and the pandemic we can ask if we handled the
pandemic in a manner consistent with the Torah. In a se-
ries of sermons titled “Drashot Haran” Rabbeinu Nissim, a
12th Century scholar wrote about Divine punishment and
how to react to global tragedies. He wrote this sermon just
after the black plague had torn through Europe (he lived
in Spain) and killed millions of people. He said the proper
response of survivors was repentance. The Ran wrote, “We
have been witness to the chastisements of our God for thir-
teen years now, a complete reversal of the natural order of
things. For the evil Plague descended in that year upon most
of the inhabitants of the earth, bringing upon them unusual
afflictions which it is impossible to attribute to the workings
of nature. Every enlightened individual must acknowledge
them as “the finger of G-d.” For the sicknesses common to
man may be attributed to his nature, unlike strange, exotic
illnesses, which must be regarded as the punishment of G-d
to man in His constant surveillance of him. …The language
of Scripture, then, agrees with what is dictated by intellect
— that sore, exotic afflictions are not the adventitious by-
products of man’s nature, but rather “the finger of G-d.”
And it is such afflictions that we witnessed with our own
eyes, reaching out and engulfing all in that year, until in the
space of just one year the world underwent a more radical
change than it had ever undergone previously in the course
of two hundred years. And in many places it happened as
it happened with Dathan and Aviram, many men — they
and all that was theirs — being completely
wiped out, until their inheritance reverted to
their foes. I am not saying that this happened
because of their sins, but that it happened.
And we, too, these days and in this time are
constantly alarmed by reports that in lands not
at all distant from ours there are happening
things of the kind which happened in our land
and which we witnessed with our own eyes.
This being so, how can our evil inclination
and our deceitful imagination make any claim
upon us? How can they arouse us to rebellion
and drive us from domicile in the inheritance
of the Lord? Is it not our own eyes that have
seen the chastisements of the Lord our God
and His strong hand exhorting us not to fall
prey to false, temporal vanities? Is it not easy
for us to return to the Holy One Blessed be He
with a whole heart, as dictated by our intellect,
unimpeded by any hindrance or deterrent, un-
trammeled by the Satan or by any evil inter-
cessor?” Did we follow the Ran’s advice and
repent after the COVID pandemic? As David
Smith wrote, “[This] is a long fight over the
origin of a virus that has caused close to 7
million deaths worldwide, clouding efforts to
pursue a neutral, fact-based inquiry. In its loud
opinions, blue v red certainties and lack of nu-
ance, the melee echoes clashes over pandemic
lockdowns, masks and vaccines. Bill Galston,
a former policy adviser to Bill Clinton, said:
“Isn’t this just like everything else in Ameri-
can politics, where a partisan position on one
side invites a partisan response by the other?
There’s a lot of what might be called reactive
thinking going on because of the high degree
of polarisation and the high stakes. Charges
without foundation invite responses without
foundation.” I’m afraid to say I don’t think
we reacted properly to the pandemic. There’s
a well known joke about COVID that is too
true. “Many people didn’t think COVID was
such a big deal, they claim people blew it out
of proportion. Of course, those are usually the
survivors who think that way.” There’s truth in
every joke, but unfortunately there’s too much
truth in that joke. As we seem to steer clear
of COVID, it’s important to take time and
ask ourselves how COVID affected us, what
changes did it make to us – by our choice or
not by our choice – and how have we become
better because of those changes? Did we re-
examine our values and priorities? As much
as COVID was a horrific tragedy it is also a
reflection point. We must take advantage of
this moment in our lives and global history
and use it properly.
RUP
Vues Master’s Note: I say we mishandled it.
We should not have closed Yeshivas and Batei
Midrashim. There are people now not being
machshiv tefillah Betzibbur as a result of Co-
vid. Speak to the gabbaim at Shomer Shabbos
and Landaus. They will tell you that there are
much less people davening with a minyan!
SCENTED
Dear Vues Master:
There is a fairly new trend that stores, offices
and even dental and doctor offices, have a
scent dispersed in the air. These are harmful
toxic substances that many people are allergic
to and most people, even if they don’t real-
ize it, are not tolerating it too well. We think
it is normal to have headaches, strep, nausea,
fatigue, asthma etc. on a regular basis but it
is not. Even if it were healthy, the strength of
these scents are very often overwhelming. It is
unprofessional and very unpleasant. It should
be in the background, like background music
in a restaurant. Very often it can be smelled a
block away and hits you in the face when you
enter the establishment. When buying gar-
ments from such stores they continue smelling
even through multiple washes. It is becoming
increasingly difficult and impossible for many
people to shop in our favorite local stores. We
want to support you… please at least LOWER
the setting! I understand that this is someone’s
business… There are non-toxic options out
there. It would be great if he can take his busi-
ness to the next level and upgrade to natural
scents using essential oils. Not only are these
safe, but they are actually beneficial. Doctors
offices can use oils that promote relaxation.
Stores oils that improve mood and schools and
offices can use oils that help with energy and
a clear mind. Thank you for everyone’s con-
sideration. Let’s keep the business booming in
our amazing communities!
Frimet S.
Vues Master’s Note: Something smells about
this letter!
BURN
Dear Vues Master:
The מרוטנברג ם“מהר wrote a קינה for the
burning of the Talmud in Paris in the year
1244. Ashkenazim say this קינה on Tisha B’av
(א“מ קינה- באש שרופה שאלי (One of the pow-
erful stanzas of the
קינה .אוריד דמעות עדי יהיו כנחל ויגיעו לקברות
שני אציליך משה ואהרן בהר ההר ואשאל
היש תורה חדשה בכן נשרפו גליליך
“I will shed tears until they flow like a riv-
er and reach the graves of your two princes
Moishe & Aaron who are resting on the moun-
tain of Hor. And I will ask them, “Is there a
Torah that is new and therefore your scrolls
have been burnt?”
MF
Vues Master’s Note: May we be zoche not to
say these kinos anymore!
POISON
Dear Vues Master:
There was frantic knocking on the Rabbi’s
door late one night. It was Moshe, who with
fright in his voice said “I’m sorry to bother
you so late at night, but I’m desperate. You’ve
got to help me. My wife is trying to poison me.
I don’t know what to do. I need your advice.”
The Rabbi was incredulous. “It can’t be,” he
said. “Yes, it is!” Moshe said, “I’m sure she’s
trying to poison me. I’m besides myself. I
don’t know what to do.” The Rabbi said he
would speak with Moshe’s wife in the morn-
ing and see what she has to say. Later that day,
he called Moshe and said: “I spoke with your
wife. My advice is: take the poison.”
MB
Vues Master’s Note: Oy! Is this another
Churchill joke?
YERIDAS HADOROS
Dear Vues Master:
Math and reading scores among America’s
13-year-olds fell to their lowest levels in de-
cades, with math scores plunging by the larg-
est margin ever recorded, according to the re-
sults of a test known as the nation’s report card.
The results, released last Wednesday, are the
latest measure of the deep learning setbacks
incurred during the pandemic. While earlier
testing revealed the magnitude of America’s
learning loss, the latest test casts light on the
persistence of those setbacks, dimming hopes
of swift academic recovery.
DW
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks to Fauci and the
union for shutting down the schools during
Covid!
FREE
Dear Vues Master:
Free Nechama: Finding Hope and Resilience
in Parshat Chukat-Balak In the spirit of this
week’s Parsha, Chukat-Balak, I’d like to draw
your attention to a pressing issue within our
community that’s in dire need of our collec-
tive action and prayers. Our dear Jewish sister,
Nechama Wasserman, has been denied a ‘get’,
a Jewish divorce document, by her estranged
husband, David Wasserman, for over 9 years.
This has left her in a state of marital limbo, un-
able to move forward with her life. Esteemed
Rabbinic leaders – Rabbi Gavriel Tzinner,
Head of the Bais Din, Rabbi Tzvi Gartner,
Rabbinic Judge, Rabbi Yitzchak Aizik Shap-
iro, Rabbinic Judge, Rabbi Menachem Mendel
HaKohen Shafran, and Rabbi Shimon Russak
– have issued a Psak Kefiah, a forceful decree,
against David. This significant move has led
to David’s excommunication and permission
to use extreme pressure (as long as it’s com-
pliant with local law) until he grants the ‘get’.
Despite this, David continues to evade his re-
ligious and ethical responsibilities. Now, let’s
delve into this week’s Parsha, Chukat-Balak,
to glean lessons that resonate deeply with
Nechama’s ongoing struggle. In Chukat, we
encounter the ritual of the Red Heifer – Parah
Aduma – an enigmatic commandment which
deals with purification from a state of impurity
– the most profound being exposure to death.
This complex ritual is a potent symbol of re-
silience and rejuvenation. It tells us that no
matter how severe the impurity or adversity,
there is a path to purity and renewal. Much
like the Red Heifer’s transformation from a
state of impurity to purity, we maintain hope
and faith that Nechama, too, despite her dif-
ficult ordeal due to David’s refusal to grant a
‘get’, can emerge from her current situation
renewed, once again able to fully engage in
life. In Balak, we witness the story of Balaam,
hired by King Balak to curse the Israelites. In-
stead, his intended curses become blessings.
This narrative not only emphasizes the impos-
sibility of reversing what has been divinely
blessed but also underscores the potential for
transformation. The current adversity faced by
Nechama, as challenging as it is, has the po-
tential to become a catalyst for change, mobi-
lizing our community and sparking a broader
conversation about the importance of justice
in marital disputes. Furthermore, the narra-
tive of Balaam highlights the power of speech
and the impact our words can have on others.
As we have seen, words intended for harm
can be transformed into blessings. In a simi-
lar vein, our collective voices of pressure in
support of Nechama have the power to bring
about change, transforming her challenging
situation into a springboard for reform. The
narratives of Parshat Chukat-Balak inspire re-
silience, hope, transformation, and the power
of a collective voice. They call on us to stand
strong, to believe in the possibility of change,
and to raise our voices in the pursuit of justice
for Nechama. # Free Nechama
FG
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks for sharing!
SANDWICH
Dear Vues Master:
The parsha of Korach details the rebellion
of Korach and his followers against Moshe
Rabeinu. Korach was smart and a righteous
person yet he let his ego lead him to challenge
Moshe. But what attracted all those “Anshei
Shaim” to join him. Shouldn’t they have been
ashamed? Well, we know that Korach was the
richest man of this generation. He was a “ka-
reeai moied” to them – he called them to po-
litical meetings where he preached his woke
philosophy. He threatened to boycott them if
they didn’t go along with him. How did he
get richer from other people? Everybody at
krias yam suf took from the bizas – business
– of the yam. However, when the Maan and
the Slaav fell separately, he put them together
and created the sandwich. The idea caught
on like ketores fire and became known as the
Korach. It proved so popular that it was in-
corporated into the Seder simanim. However,
as a remez to the machlokes, it was put after
Matzo which also means Meriva and after
Maror. Others who followed his way was
Haman who was the richest man in his time
and Soros likewise in our time. They use their
riches to corrupt and destroy. One of the main
arguments he used was the techelas ploy. He
said that a begged that is completely techeilas
shouldn’t need tzitzis. A question arises that
when the Yidden saw Mordechai wearing te-
cheilas it was a sign of hope and joy. How
do we reconcile this? The answer could be
because it says “biroisum Yachad Techeilas
Mordechai”. They saw it with achdus while
by Korach it was used to divide the people.
Moshe tried to mollify Korach. He offered
him to get an aliya of Levi bemakoim Ko-
hen. Korach still wasn’t satisfied with that.
He said “Loi Naaleh”. “Historer” he even
became hysterical with his demands. At this
point, all logic was lost. But was it about On?
His wife saved him. She told him to tell Ko-
rach “Just say NO” which is On spelled back-
wards. She was a Tzaddekes but she also
had a practical reason for preventing On from
joining Korach. She knew that they would
come to a bad ending and she didn’t want to
lose her father-in-law’s Palace. That would
be too much to swallow.
DF
Vues Master’s Note: It’s a good thing you are
not my rebbe, otherwise I would not know a
drop of Chumash!
CLOTHING
Dear Vues Master:
Only Yekkes & Oberlanders may wear mod-
ern clothing. The (*א:ט“פ (אדם חכמת de-
fends Yidden from (אשכנז ארץ כל (Germany
who wear clothing similar to the Goyim. The
אדם חכמת claims since in Ashkenaz they
never instituted a dress code to be different
than the Goyim, therefore there is no Issur of
תלכו לא ובחקתיהם by keeping their original
dress, which is similar to the Goyim. Howev-
er, Yidden originating from countries where
they did institute a dress code that is different
than the Goyim (Lithuania included) (regard-
less of the reason) they may not wear cloth-
ing similar to the Goyim. Those who do wear
ובחקתיהם לא תלכו on עובר are clothing such
.חייב מלקות are and
FM
Vues Master’s Note: I guess clothing does
not make the man but clothing makes you a
Yekky!
PRICE
Dear Vues Master:
Sam was a very successful businessman. As
their twenty fifth wedding anniversary ap-
proached, he asked his wife what she would
like for a gift. “Would you like a diamond
necklace?” he asked. “No, thanks” she said.
“”Well how about a new car?” he asked.
“No,” she said. “An apartment in Florida?”
he asked. “No,” she responded again. “Well
what do you want for our anniversary?” Sam
asked. “I want a divorce,” she replied. “Oh
no,” he said. “I wasn’t planning on spending
that much.”
WE
Vues Master’s Note: Pretty penny!
MISQUOTED
Dear Vues Master:
On pg. 28, in last week’s Jewish Vues you
printed a quotation from R. Goldberg: Every-
thing will be OK in the end. For if it’s not
Ok, it is not yet the end.” The source of the
quotation is from a Portuguese novel. Please
make this correction.
S.A.
Vues Master’s Note: Thanks for bringing it to
our attention.
LISTENING TO YOUR WIFE
Dear Vues Master:
The danger of listening to the wife.
(משלי יא כח)
בוטח בעשרו הוא יפול אמר רבי לוי: שני
עשירים גדולים היו בעולם, אחד בישראל ואחד
באומות העולם- קורח בישראל והמן באומות
העולם; ושניהם שמעו לנשיהם, ושניהם נפלו”
The two wealthiest people in the world had
their downfall listening to their wives. I’m
not sureפשט in this Midrash, Is it, a) only
the wealthy shouldn’t listen to their wives.
b) even the wealthy shouldn’t listen to their
wives.
LK
Vues Master’s Note: I asked my wife how
to respond. She said you don’t have enough
money so just be quiet!
CAPTURED
Dear Vues Master:
How do we know that the Jews drove cars
out of Mitzrayim? The pasuk (Bamidbar
21:1) tells us that the king of Arad captured a
Chevy from them. DE
Vues Master’s Note: Should have gotten an
Oldsmobile!
MACHLOKES
Dear Vues Master:
The Chasam Sofer in the
Chazal the explains דרשות (ח“א קפ“ג ד“ה כן)
“ת“ח מרבים שלום בעולם” of
Hashem created the Midos.
The , בושה-עזות ,גאוה -ענוה, שלום-מחלוקת
world is in need of all of the מדות and cannot
exist without them. However, all these מדות
can be used for the good or ו“ח for the bad.
מחלוקת in תורה learning is a beautiful thing.
It forces the true פשט to come out. Having
Talmidei Chachamim arguing in Torah re-
duces the need for bad מחלוקת in the world.
“מרבים שלום בעולם” are they Hence
LK
Vues Master’s Note: I can’t argue with this
letter!
VIEWPOINT
Dear Vues Master:
During a trip to Russia, Moshe Montefiore
went to meet with Czar Nikolai the first, who
was a well-known anti-Semite. Montefiore,
the great philanthropist and defender of Jews,
urged the Czar to permit Jews to leave Rus-
sia. “How much are you prepared to pay me
for each Jew that I permit to leave?” asked
the Czar. Montefiore responded: “If Your Ex-
cellency were to ask me to pay the worth that
each Jew has in my eyes, there isn’t enough
money in the entire world to do so. However,
if you were to ask me to pay for each Jew
what he is worth in your eyes, the whole mat-
ter is not worth your while at all.”
PO
Vues Master’s Note: Great answer!
RESPECT
Dear Vues Master:
DG brings to light the sad state of affairs
when one ignores the realities that Hashem
created the world with. *A mother is the gate-
keeper to her children. Being good to her
keeps that channel open. Staying married
to her makes that much easier. *Parenting is
the responsibility of the parent, not the child.
*Having a child does not give one the skills
to have a relationship. That has to be worked
on. * A child learns to respect or disdain the
people you respect or disdain. When you
show disrespect to the other parent, they to
show disrespect (what to them is) the other
parent. *You can not demand respect, it can
only be earned. May Hashem help each of us
become the best we can be bein adam lacha-
viro v’bein adam lamakom.
Mrs. R
Vues Master’s Note: Amen! I wish DG would
stop blaming everyone else for his problems!
HAVE WHAT YOU DON’T
Dear Vues Master:
An elderly woman boarded a hot, crowded
bus, with no available seats. Addressing a
young woman, she said “If you knew what
I have, you would give me your seat.” The
younger woman stood up and gave her the
seat. Ten minutes later, the elderly woman
asked the bus driver to stop and let her get
off. “I’m sorry ma’am,” he said, “the next
stop is three blocks away.” However, she
wouldn’t take no for an answer. With a big
sigh she said “If you knew what I have, you
would let me off here.” Being compassion-
ate, the driver stopped the bus and opened the
doors to let her out. As she was going down
the stairs, he said “If you don’t mind my ask-
ing, what do you have?” “Lots of chutzpah,”
she answered.
CD
Vues Master’s Note: Great story! Now if it
was true and happened to me I might Shpritz
her with my water bottle as I have some
Chutzpah too. My Rebbes used to smack me
for Chutzpa!
JEWISH MATCHMAKING
ARTICLE
Dear Vues Master
This is about an article called “Jewish Match-
making Kosher” by Rabbi Gil Student. The
author assumes that all his readers understand
the lingo, the Hebrew words used. Rabbi
Student consistently used the expression “lif-
nei iveir”, never once translating it. How is
one to understand what he is saying? I read
his bio and saw that he, like me, grew up in a
Conservative Jewish household, and that he
climbed the ladder, so he should understand
the predicament. I am climbing the ladder,
but his constant use of some words “put a
stumbling block” in my way; I had to google
the word to understand it, but Rabbi Student
is guilty of doing just that. Not everyone is
fortunate to have had a yeshiva education;
please be mindful. Thank you.
HM
Response from Rabbi Gil Student:
Thank you for your comments and for taking
the time to read the article. I greatly appreci-
ate any feedback from readers. I normally am
careful to translate Hebrew phrases, albeit
briefly due to space limitations. In this case,
I wrote: “in regard to the biblical prohibition
of lifnei iveir and the rabbinic prohibition
of mesayei’a yedei overei aveirah, both of
which include assisting someone in sinning”.
In my mind, this was a sufficient translation.
I apologize if it was not. I will work harder to
make sure the words and concepts are clearly
translated and understandable. Thank you
again,
Rabbi Gil Student
NO MORE SPOONS
Dear Vues Master
What is this world coming to? Residents of
New York City who heavily rely on takeout
meals will soon no longer receive plastic
spoons and chopsticks. Restaurants now face
potential fines for providing these items. The
city recently proposed a set of fines, ranging
from $50 to $250, for restaurants, food deliv-
ery services, and third-party couriers who in-
clude utensils and condiments like soy sauce
and ketchup packets in orders without the
customers’ request. This initiative, known
as the “Skip the Stuff” bill, aims to reduce
the amount of plastic waste generated by
restaurants, as stated in the newly published
regulations.
DW
Vues Masters Note: This is the woke world
we currently live in! It’s only going to get
worse.