Dear Matzav Inbox,
Each year, as Purim approaches, we eagerly anticipate the sacred and joyous mitzvah of hearing the Megillah. It is a time to celebrate and relive the miracle of our ancestors’ deliverance from the evil hand of Haman. But, unfortunately, a growing trend threatens to overshadow this special occasion. As a parent and a member of our Yeshiva community, I feel it must be addressed before it becomes even more pervasive: the incessant noise during the Megillah laining.

Dear Matzav Inbox,
As Bnei Torah, we strive to follow the gedolim, to live by the Torah, and to dedicate ourselves to Torah. We raise our children to be true yerei shamayim, to follow in the same path. We take pride in the values that define us, and yes, we don’t send our boys to the army, as we believe in protecting their spiritual growth.
But, we must ask ourselves – do we truly feel the pain of our brothers and sisters? Do we truly internalize the suffering of those who are in the trenches, of those whose sons, husbands, and fathers are fighting day and night for our safety?

Dear Matzav Inbox,
I am writing in response to the nauseating trend that has become all too prevalent in Jewish publications — ads for children’s clothing that display models who look absolutely nothing like Jewish children. It is beyond disturbing to see young children — some as young as five years old — being paraded in these ads with expressions and postures that reflect nothing but the toxic chic of the secular world. Where is the chein? Where is the modesty? How is this acceptable in a community that prides itself on maintaining a way of life that revolves around modesty, holiness, and living with Hashem?

Dear Editor,
We are writing this letter with heavy hearts, deeply torn between our gratitude for all that President Trump has done for us and Eretz Yisroel, and the undeniable frustration and anguish that we feel over the handling of the hostage situation. We have long admired his unwavering support and the numerous ways he has championed the cause of the Jewish people, but when it comes to the issue of the hostages in Gaza, he has failed us. It’s as simple as that.

Dear Matzav Inbox,
I took a week to gather my thoughts after the recent mesivta farher/application debacle. I needed time to calm down and clear my mind before writing this letter. I am deeply troubled by what’s happening in some communities, and I feel compelled to speak out.
And I write this letter as a longtime mechanech myself.
Let me just say it: Any rosh mesivta, any rebbi, any menahel, anyone who operates a mesivta with the sole focus of taking in only “top boys” should be ashamed of himself. Is this what Hashem wants? Is this the standard we should be setting for our boys?

Dear Matzav Inbox,
I am writing about the glaring hypocrisy that is “Yeshiva Week,” or “Midwinter Vacation.” (The first is the Modox term that somehow has become en vogue. Frankly, it’s weird, because it’s actually “Non-Yeshiva Week,” but whatever.) The level of inconsistency and double standards being displayed is nothing short of infuriating, and it’s time someone called it out.

Dear Matzav Inbox, 
I have an overwhelming sense of disgust and frustration over the growing trend of young bochurim, some as young as in 5th and 6th grade, who are now vaping in places like shul and supermarkets. What has become of us as a community, when young boys are engaging in this dangerous and disturbing habit?
The prevalence of vaping among our boys has reached epidemic proportions in my opinion, and it is time that we, as a community, address it head-on.

Dear Matzav Inbox,
As a young frum family, we are finding it increasingly impossible to make ends meet, even as we tighten our belts and cut back on anything that’s not absolutely essential. It’s hard to imagine how anyone in our situation is expected to save or even plan for the future when the day-to-day costs are so overwhelming.

Dear Matzav Inbox,
I’ll tell you something, I am absolutely bewildered. Here we are, at a time of unparalleled goodness, and yet Moshiach is still not here. Can someone please explain this to me? With all the incredible things going on—especially on WhatsApp—how could Hashem possibly delay the arrival of Moshiach any longer? I mean, just think about it for a second.

Dear Matzav Inbox,
I hope this letter finds you well. I would like to present an idea to you regarding a subject that is deeply important to almost everyone in our community. With great respect, I would like to share this concept with the tzibbur and sincerely welcome your feedback.
As we are in the season of farhers for bochurim and navigating the process of high school acceptances, the current system of admissions into our chadorim, Bais Yaakovs, and mesivtos is a tangible reality for almost all of us. It is a process that, while essential, often brings stress and heartache to families across Lakewood.