It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter, as I feel profound concern for the spiritual direction of our collective kehilla. Week after week, I see the so-called “kosher” magazines pushing the boundaries further and further, yet no one seems to bat an eye. Our sensitivity to kedusha and Yiddishe values is being eroded in ways never seen before.
These publications, which were once modest and uplifting, have become filled with content that blatantly undermines the values of tzniyus. The advertisements are disgusting, glorifying material excess and promoting a lifestyle of indulgence that stands in stark contrast to our Torah values. Sukkos editions, for instance, now stretch to 300 pages, with most of that space dedicated to outrageous and extravagant ads. Where are our values?
This week’s low point: a magazine openly discussing Botox, plastic surgery, and more. Is this what we want a young, impressionable Bas Yisroel reading? Do we want her to think that vanity and physical appearance are the ideals to aspire to? Such topics might have existed privately, but now there are no boundaries. Anything goes. And somehow, it’s all seen as muttar because it steers away from our pre-approved list of “taboo subjects.”
The silence from our leaders is equally deafening. While rabbonim are preoccupied with various other matters, this slow destruction of our community’s tzniyus and kedushah goes unchecked. Adding to the shame, nearly every major yeshivah advertises in these publications. Does their participation mean they endorse this descent into filth?
Three weeks ago, a Gadol b’Yisroel was niftar, and instead of honoring his memory on the cover, one magazine chose to focus on election coverage. Are we really prioritizing secular politics over our Torah leaders? Worse, the magazines regularly glorify Israeli politicians on their front cover featured story who are mechalelei Shabbos and openly eat treif. These are the role models our children see featured?
We are raising a generation that is slowly being desensitized to our core values, and no one is saying a word. It’s time to wake up and restore the dignity and kedusha that should define Klal Yisroel.
Sincerely,
Bothered in Brooklyn
The views expressed in this letter do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
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29 Responses
You make some very valid points. But when bochurim looking for shidduchim stop placing so much emphasis on “vanity and physical appearance” and instead look for mates with proper Torah values, then maybe our young ladies won’t think that vanity and physical appearance are the ideals they have to aspire to in order to get married!
The letter writer is spot on
Bubbietax,
Who is the one that started having pictures on resumes?
Oh yeah it was the shadchanim not the boy
I think one can write a similar letter regarding YWN!
100% agree. But frum life became a life of show and tell. You are a nobody if you drive a 5 year old car.
You don’t go away for Yeshiva week?!?! What are you, poor??
Your son only wears white shirts that are affordable? What a loser.
Your shul only has a kiddush in Shabbos mevorchim? And no meat boards?? What a scandal.
Your son is in THAT Yeshiva ? Nebach!! What’s wrong with him.
This is the sad reality. The rabbonim need to rise up and do something. Start small. Explain that the purpose on life isn’t about what people think about you.
These filthy magazines were always treif. From Day One. They keep getting worse and worse, but they were never kosher.
100% true and overdue. Sometimes I wonder what a secular person would think opening some of these Publications and seeing the extreme materialism and luxury flaunted through the pages, you would think it’s a different religion. It’s highly unlikely they are actually run by bnei torah just from looking at some of those ads because if they were there’s no way they would include them. In fact some of these publications include speakers that aren’t actually kosher and questionable writers that have already written things way out of line and counter torah values. (A rabbi who invited a missionary to speak in his shul more than once which is beyond assur and reprehensible, yet he’s happily printed every week. Go figure. )
Not saying I disagree but the writer seems to be logged in to YWN which does pretty much everything he writes against…
follow the money
Why do people expect Rabbonim to magically fix everything, which Rabbonim? The Rav if a local shul? The Rosh Yeshivah? Chassidish? Living? Sefardi? Who do you expect to the spiritual leader of our times?
Start by fixing your own household. And let each community work on their own issues. They are trying but as soon as anyone disagrees they just close their ears or switch shuls.
I want to hear from OP how he made a change for his own family besides for writing a nice post online.
Women look better with botox what’s the big deal?
@Mamish
No one asked you to read YWN. If you have an issue with them go on other news websites or reach out to them privately.
Rabbanim have their hands tied these days. Almost nobody is willing to listen to them unless it’s a topic they enjoy or agree with. The minute they say something against the grain people throw them to the garbage and say they don’t know anything or they are too old or some other chutzpah beyond belief. So why should they say anything. Just so you’ll hate them more?
rebEmes,
Not tied “these days”
It has almost always been this way (except in the Chasidish world).
The Big Machers, The wealthy, the connected were not about to let some community Rabbi represent them or speak on their behalf. Your average Rabbi even hundreds of years ago stayed in his lane. Is a chicken Kosher, a Dvar Torah, Mesader Kiddushin, etc. was his role. Telling the community (which included the big guys) what to do was not so simple & trying to speak to the govt on behalf of the community would be the quickest way to get fired.
@Rlevy
I read YWN because I enjoy YWN.
Was mamish just saying that whatever complaints one has on these so called “kosher” magazines can be had on “YESHIVA” World News for not living up to it’s mantra!
Oh, this was comic relief at its best!!!!Bemoaning the frum publications on YWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now THAT’s kosher!!! LOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!! The rabbanim should say something??? As if! Hey, we’re all on this, but there is not a rabbi in the word who endorses it or thinks it’s a good thing–did you ask YOUR rabbi about “frum” websites? Gimme a break.
In addition, the article you cite was decrying the botox trend in the frum world, not supporting or espousing it.
Yawn.
2qwerty and rebEmes, you’re missing the point. This magazine has a rabbinical board and is proud it’s offering kosher reading material. If I eat out at a kosher restaurant and find out they served me non kosher food I’d be furious – at the mashgiach.
I have been complaining to my wife for months that I want to cancel my pricey subscription to Mishpacha magazine which over the years has transformed itself from a magazine of Torah/Jewish interests to political news reporting. The magazine week in week out contains articles on both USA and Israel party politics that quite frankly nobody cares to read. These magazines have become nothing other than Time and Newsweek with a catch Jewish title. And I may say that Newsweek, Time and the like are far cheaper than these Jewish mags.
Preserving Our Sacred Heritage Through School Letters
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman
The Power of Student Voices: A Torah-True Initiative
There’s a problem that we are currently facing that was pointed out yesterday by an anonymous letter-writer in Brooklyn. This challenge presents us with an opportunity to engage our students in meaningful change, while learning from the timeless wisdom of Avraham Avinu’s purchase of Me’aras HaMachpelah. As written in the Tanchuma [Behar 1], we are taught, “Be not alarmed by a man of evil eye” [Mishlei 28:22] – referring to Ephron the Hittite.
The Divine Lesson from the Midrash
The Midrash elaborates: When Sarah Imeinu died, Avraham approached Ephron to purchase the cave. Though Ephron initially declared “The land is worth four hundred shekels of silver between me and you, what is it?” – appearing generous – the story reveals a deeper truth. As the Midrash notes, citing Rabbi Chanina, these weren’t ordinary shekels but kentorin (centenaria), a much larger measure. When Ephron saw the substantial silver Abraham weighed out, he became alarmed and flustered, saying “In the choice of the land we shall bury your dead.”
Hashem said, “You were alarmed about money? By your life, you will have a deficiency in the matter.” Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi bar Shalom teaches us that every mention of ‘Ephron’ until this point was written in full (with the letter vav), but after taking the silver, his name appears without the vav – “And Avraham weighed out to Ephrn.” This diminishment of his name eternally symbolizes how materialistic pursuit can diminish our spiritual stature.
Engaging Our Youth in Sacred Change
In our beautiful community today, we have a unique opportunity to channel the energy and creativity of our students toward preserving our values of Kedusha. Through a coordinated letter-writing initiative in our schools, we can address the concerning trends in our community publications while teaching valuable skills and eternal values.
The State of Our Publications
The letter-writer pointed out that week after week, our community publications, which once served as bastions of modesty and spiritual elevation (think the Jewish Observer a’h), are evolving in concerning ways. While the abundance of creativity and innovation in these magazines reflects our community’s vibrancy, we must lovingly examine whether all changes serve our highest values.
A School-Based Solution
Our educational institutions are uniquely positioned to lead this change. Here’s how we can implement this meaningful project:
1. Integration with Limudei Chol: Our secular studies classes, particularly English and writing courses, can incorporate letter-writing assignments focused on preserving our community values. This practical application gives purpose to these studies while reinforcing our Torah values.
2. Guided Learning: Morahs can use this project to teach:
o Effective writing skills
o Proper letter format
o Persuasive communication
o The art of respectful advocacy
o Critical thinking about media content
3. Family Involvement:
Parents can extend this initiative into the home by:
o Hosting family discussions about media content
o Supporting their children’s letter-writing efforts
o Contributing their own letters alongside their children
o Creating meaningful dialogue about our values
Understanding the Challenge
The Sukkos editions of the frum magazines and Newspapers now stretch to some 300 pages, filled with advertisements that, while celebrating our community’s success, often tip into promoting material excess. More concerning are discussions of cosmetic procedures and emphasis on physical appearance that may not align with our deepest values of tznius and inner beauty.
The Crown of Our Heritage
The strength of our community has always been our dedication to eternal values – tznius, kedushah, and the preservation of our unique Torah-dike character. These aren’t restrictions but rather the crown jewels that make us special. When we see our magazines and publications shifting their focus, it’s an opportunity to redirect our attention to what truly matters. This may be the reason that the Midrash Tanchuma cites that particular pasuk in Mishlei “Be not alarmed by a man of evil eye” [Mishlei 28:22] – so that when we encounter it we will redirect.
Nurturing Our Daughters’ True Beauty
Every young Bas Yisroel is a princess of immeasurable worth, created b’tzelem Elokim. Her true beauty lies not in conforming to secular standards of appearance, but in developing her inner qualities of chesed, tznius, and yiras shamayim. Through this letter-writing campaign, our students can articulate and reinforce these values.
Leadership and Values
Our Gedolim have always shown us that true Jewish leadership means prioritizing Torah values above all else. When we sometimes see secular achievements or political coverage taking precedence over Torah accomplishments, we must gently remind ourselves of our priorities. Just as Avraham Avinu was willing to pay full price for a burial plot that would preserve Sarah’s dignity, we too must be willing to invest in preserving our sacred values.
A Path Forward Together
Let us work together to restore balance through our schools and homes:
1. Encourage students to write thoughtful, respectful letters to editors and advertisers
2. Create classroom discussions about maintaining our values in modern times
3. Develop writing skills while promoting Torah perspectives
4. Support publications that align with our educational messages
5. Guide students in articulating their concerns constructively
The Power of Young Voices
When our children and students write to editors and companies, their sincere voices carry special weight. These letters should:
• Express appreciation for the publication’s positive aspects
• Share concerns about specific content thoughtfully
• Suggest constructive alternatives
• Reflect the values they learn in school
Connecting Past and Future
Remember: Just as the missing ‘vav’ in Ephron’s name teaches us about the emptiness of materialism, the letter ‘vav’ in Hebrew connects and bridges. Our students can be that bridge – connecting our glorious heritage with our present opportunities, elevating both in the process.
Our Sacred Mission
Together, with love and understanding, we can nurture a community that shines with authentic Torah values while embracing the positive aspects of our modern world. By engaging our students in this letter-writing initiative, we create a powerful educational opportunity and a lasting impact on our publications. This effort, like Me’aras HaMachpelah, will serve as a foundation for generations to come. Let us work together to restore and maintain the dignity and kedusha that have always defined Klal Yisroel, through such a letter writing campaign and doing so with love, understanding, and achdus.
Maybe the Morahs can keep copies of the letters written so that the power of achdus can be employed to raise our collective ruchniyus. A collection of the letters can be printed in book form as a gentle reminder to our media – a sponsor is waiting if we can get 100 letters. If anyone would like to step up and take a leadership position in this area – please contact the author at [email protected]
It is true that they won’t listen to any Rabbonim.
They’ve always claimed to have some hidden rabbinic backing, but whenever asked who their anonymous rabbis are, they consistently refuse to answer or identify any. Because it is non-existent.
I seem to be in the minority here. It is a tale as old as time that women tried to enhance their physical appearance to look as good as they can. The gemara shabbos speaks abt wearing a choker necklace to bring the fat from the neck to the face to make them look fuller, nowaday we have fillers. They wore makeup, and did what they can to look as pretty as they can. Same thing now.
You have a problem with a resume photo? What abt the gemara that describes the girls on tu b’shvat dressing up, doing makeup, amd dancing before the young men in order to get a shidduch? Do you not believe that was with the intention of being flirtatious and appealing to male gaze?
You have an issue with there being so many advertisements in the holiday edition? So use the index and find the article you are interested in. There are many services which may appear excessive to you, but are a necessity to others. Many mothers have full time jobs these days and hiring a cook for yom tov is cost efficient and easier to do than taking off time from work. In the times of thr Talmud the equivalent would be having many maids and servants, and the gemara seems to have no issue with that, just a reminder that a woman should still do something (i.e. make the bed) to remind you that “batala mevi leyidei zima”.
A person is halachically supposed to live according to their financial status, not above nor below. Many ppl are wealthy, and many ppl fake it. Is that sad? Yes. Is it a magazines fault? No. They are putting advertisements in order to reach their “target audience”.
You also have an issue with them not putting Rav Shechter’s funeral as front page news. I went to chaim Berlin many years ago. Most ppl in my community living in Flatbush had no idea who he was. Let alone around the state. He led a large yeshiva, but he was not a household name to the Sam extent as Rav Kanievsky, Rav Elyashiv, etc. nor lehavdil have the same notoriety as govt politicians from Israel. It is a nationwide magazine, the cover must have the same familiarity in order to be attention grabbing. There was an article, just not front page.
I believe I touched on all your points. Lmk where you think I’m wrong.
This is the price we Jews pay living in a very free country, and a big part of the Jewish population making tons of money. (Or tons of credit). The lifestyle standards have to be very high.
Just remember the story with the Baal Hatanya and the Vilna Gaon.
(Napoleón against Russia).
When we were oppressed, we had more yiras Shomayim.
Now it’s very hard to fight against the Yetzer Horah.
Weneedmoshaich…
I believe the story was with the Baal Hatanya and the Berdichever.
Your article presents strong contradictions. You raise concerns about non-kosher magazines, yet you chose to air your complaints on YWN. It’s important to recognize that, unlike Ami and Mishpacha, which do not feature pictures of women, YWN does include them, showcasing women dressed modestly and otherwise. Furthermore, on election night, YWN had no hesitation about live-streaming from mainstream news stations.
What needs to be emphasized is the absence of a frum news website in the USA that is entirely kosher and free from pictures or videos of women. This is a significant oversight that needs to be addressed.
YWN is also treif.
Not like the way the frum world used to be.
Did any of you read the article? It’s anti botox
The PRICES of those magazines is very high,.
especially considering the number of
full-page advertisements they contain.
@rebemes you are using the word missionary as slander. It was a kiruv missionary for people who are already Christians. Not a missionary trying to convert yidden. And he invited him on a Sunday afternoon – no in shul – to talk about a business topic or something like that.
Zaltzvasser, the article is not anti-botox. The author says she’s not anti-botox and has used it herself. She is simply saying you shouldnt judge those who age without these procedures. It’s a feel-good article irrespective of what one does.
This is gross and will simply get worse -as I’m sure it already is. Soon these women will be into plastic surgery and I’m sure many already are. Unless someone has a deformity it’s disgusting to mess with ones body.
@jews4biden the halacha hasn’t changed regardless of his intentions. That’s where Modern keep making the same mistakes. The laws don’t change because you found a good reason. It is absolutely forbidden to invite anyone who has any connection to beliefs in Yashka into a shul Chas veshalom. Especially a preacher, a reminder to you that avoda Zara is also assur when preached to fellow goyim. Have a nice day