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    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.

    LOTTERY
    Dear Vues Master:
    Mazal Tov to Suchy Klein!

    I want to extend a heartfelt Mazal Tov to Suchy Klein on his in-
    credible $10 million lottery win! I have known Suchy for many

    years, and I can honestly say it couldn’t have happened to a nicer,
    more deserving person.

    Suchy’s generosity and kindness are unmatched. By day he dedi-
    cates himself to helping special-needs boys, ensuring they feel

    valued, supported, and loved. By night he works tirelessly at a
    wedding hall, making sure the chosson and kallah experience one

    of the happiest nights of their lives. His energy, warmth, and dedi-
    cation leave an indelible mark on everyone lucky enough to know

    him.
    Winning the lottery is remarkable, but what makes Suchy truly
    special is the way he uses his time and heart to uplift others. He
    embodies selflessness, joy, and community spirit in everything he

    does. His recent win is not only a cause for celebration, but a rec-
    ognition of the goodness he brings into the world every single day.

    Suchy’s story reminds us that true fortune is not measured solely
    in dollars, but in the lives we touch and the happiness we create.
    With this new blessing, I have no doubt he will continue to share
    his generosity in even more meaningful ways.
    Once again, Mazal Tov, Suchy! May your heart, and now your
    wallet, be filled with joy, blessing, and continued success. You
    truly deserve every bit of happiness that comes your way. IJ
    Vues Master’s Note: Amen!

    SUCHI
    Dear Vues Master:

    I’m writing because everyone seems to be asking the same ques-
    tion after Suchy Klein’s recent lottery win: Why take the lump-
    sum payout of $10 million instead of $10,000 a week for life?

    Both options are life-changing, yet Suchy’s choice has sparked
    endless curiosity and debate.

    At first glance, $10,000 a week for life seems safer, steady in-
    come, long-term security, and fewer worries. But the lump sum

    offers immediate control and flexibility. Even after taxes, $10 mil-
    lion can be invested, used for business opportunities, or applied in

    ways that weekly payments simply cannot match. Perhaps finan-
    cial advisers recommended taking the guaranteed cash. Or maybe

    he valued the freedom to decide right away more than the comfort
    of steady payments. Either way, it’s a fascinating insight into how
    people weigh security vs. independence.
    Then there’s the question of how people felt about Suchy’s mazal.
    Were we genuinely happy for him, or a little envious? However
    you spent the weekend, everyone was talking about it. Some were
    inspired, some a bit jealous, but all of us were caught up in the
    excitement.
    In the end, these conversations reveal as much about us as they do

    about Suchy’s choice. How we celebrate, or envy, someone else’s
    mazal speaks volumes about the character of our community. TR
    Vues Master’s Note: I think it is none of our business!

    TROUBLE
    Dear Vues Master:
    As January approaches, many New Yorkers are not anticipating

    new leadership; they are dreading the arrival of an administra-
    tion that already appears defined by extremism, dishonesty, and

    divisiveness. Zohran Mamdani campaigned as a unifier who had
    moved past radical positions, yet his transition team tells a very
    different, and deeply troubling—story.
    Despite requesting millions of dollars to vet tens of thousands of

    résumés, Mamdani’s transition staff appears drawn almost entire-
    ly from the same insular activist networks surrounding the Demo-
    cratic Socialists of America. Reports show that his committees are

    disproportionately composed of individuals from political circles

    that have consistently taken hostile stances toward Israel and to-
    ward Jewish New Yorkers. This is not about anyone’s ethnicity or

    religion, it is about the extreme political records and public state-
    ments of the people Mamdani has chosen to elevate.

    Among them are individuals who have praised figures calling for
    Israel’s destruction, used anti-Jewish slurs, or celebrated extremist
    leaders. Others have accused Jews of inventing or profiting from

    historical atrocities. His legal and policy committees include activ-
    ists who supported BDS campaigns, defended individuals linked

    to terrorist groups, or minimized the horrors of 9/11 by shifting
    blame toward the United States rather than the perpetrators.
    This pattern should alarm every New Yorker. A mayor who claims
    moderation while surrounding himself with figures known for
    inflaming divisions and excusing extremism is not preparing to
    govern—he is preparing to wage an ideological crusade.

    Jewish New Yorkers, in particular, have ample reason to feel un-
    safe under such a leadership team. But the danger goes far beyond

    one community: a city cannot function when those tasked with
    shaping policy hold contempt for its institutions, its allies, and
    its residents.
    New Yorkers deserve steady hands, not a radical circle. That is
    why so many are bracing, not for hope, but for damage control,
    come January MT
    Vues Master’s Note: We rely on Hashem always, in the good times
    and in the bad times!

    ALIYAH
    Dear Vues Master:

    When the head of the Jewish Agency was asked about the pros-
    pects for aliyah from European countries, he said: “I think most

    Jews have concluded that the time has come to buy suitcases, but
    that they have plenty of time to pack them.” KJ
    Vues Master’s Note: The Chofetz Chaim always had Moshiach
    clothing ready, and so did Reb Nosson Wachtfogel!

    CASINO
    Dear Vues Master:
    The recent announcement that Metropolitan Park,
    an $8 billion development around Citi Field led by
    Steve Cohen, has been awarded a downstate New
    York casino license should alarm anyone who cares

    about the well-being of our neshamos. While de-
    velopers celebrate this milestone, and politicians

    eagerly support it because it promises massive rev-
    enue for the city, those who understand the destruc-
    tive pull of gambling must speak out clearly and

    forcefully against it. No amount of projected tax
    dollars can justify the spiritual and moral harm this
    will inflict.
    Gambling does far more than drain bank accounts,
    it damages the very core of a person’s neshama. It
    dulls spiritual sensitivity, weakens inner discipline,
    and pulls people away from the values that a Torah
    life demands. What makes this especially painful
    is the already rampant rise of gambling within our
    own frum community. The amount of wagering,
    betting, and online games of chance occurring,
    particularly among high school students, is truly

    horrible. Behaviors that once would have been un-
    imaginable are now becoming common, drawing

    youth into addictive patterns that distort priorities
    and cloud their connection to Hashem.

    Placing a massive casino so close to our neighbor-
    hoods will only normalize and glamorize behav-
    ior that is spiritually corrosive. Politicians may

    see dollar signs, but we see damaged neshamos,
    weakened families, and a community struggling to
    maintain its moral footing.
    We must oppose this development clearly, firmly,

    and without hesitation, for the sake of our nesham-
    os and our future. IW

    Vues Master’s Note: Hopefully it will have the
    same fate as the casino in Monticello!

    FIFTY YEARS
    Dear Vues Master:
    I am writing in response to former President

    Trump’s recent proposal for a new 50-year mort-
    gage option. It is certainly an interesting idea, and

    at first glance it could offer real help to first-time
    homebuyers struggling to keep up with today’s

    overwhelming housing costs. Lower monthly pay-
    ments would make owning a home far more attain-
    able for young families who are currently priced

    out of the market.
    This issue hits especially close to home here in
    Flatbush. For years, the next generation has simply
    not been able to afford to stay in the neighborhood
    they grew up in. Home prices rose so steeply that
    many young couples felt they had no choice but to
    leave. A large number moved to the Five Towns
    in Long Island or the Five Towns near Lakewood
    in search of more affordable housing. Yet even

    those areas—once considered more realistic op-
    tions, have seen prices climb to insanely high

    levels. The dream of homeownership is slipping
    further out of reach no matter where people turn.
    While a 50-year mortgage might provide some
    relief and open the door to homeownership for
    many who have been pushed out, I’m not sure
    how beneficial it would be in the long run.
    Stretching payments over half a century means

    significantly more interest and a long-term fi-
    nancial burden that could outweigh the initial

    benefits.

    In short, the idea has promise, but its long-term im-
    pact deserves careful consideration. MR

    Vues Master’s Note: As long as it is a fixed rate and
    has no prepayment penalty, there is no drawback!

    LOT OF DOUGH
    Dear Vues Master:
    As we enter the Chanukah season, a time filled with
    light, joy, and traditions that bring our community
    together, I find myself frustrated by an increasingly

    common experience: the skyrocketing price of do-
    nuts, particularly sufganiyot, during this festive

    time of year. While I understand that seasonal treats
    often cost a bit more, the fact that many bakeries

    and shops are now charging $10 or more for a sin-
    gle donut feels unreasonable, if not outright absurd.

    These donuts, while delicious and beautifully
    crafted, have become less of a simple holiday treat
    and more of a luxury item. Families who want to
    celebrate Chanukah with traditional foods are left
    feeling pressured to either overspend or forego the
    custom altogether. It shouldn’t be that the price of
    a donut becomes a barrier to enjoying a meaningful
    cultural practice.

    I recognize that bakeries face higher costs, ingredi-
    ents, labor, packaging, and holiday demand all play

    a role. But there is a point at which prices move

    beyond reflecting cost and begin to reflect oppor-
    tunistic markup. When a treat traditionally meant

    to celebrate miracles becomes financially out of

    reach for many, it detracts from the sense of com-
    munity and inclusiveness that the holiday is meant

    to foster.
    I hope local bakeries reconsider their pricing and
    aim for a more balanced approach. A delicious
    holiday donut shouldn’t require a budget meeting.
    RTP
    Vues Master’s Note: The answer is: bake them at
    home! Or better yet, save your dough—and your
    fat!

    EXPENSIVE
    Dear Vues Master:
    The recent NBC News survey revealing a sharp
    collapse in public confidence in the value of a
    bachelor’s degree highlights a crisis that has been

    building for years. When more than 6 in 10 reg-
    istered voters now say a four-year degree simply

    isn’t worth the price, it reflects the lived experience
    of countless families struggling under the weight of
    educational debt.
    Yeshiva University offers a powerful example of

    this challenge. Tuition alone now stands at rough-
    ly $65,000 a year, not including housing, meals,

    books, and other fees. That reality raises an un-
    avoidable question: How long does it realistically

    take to earn back such an investment? For many
    students, especially those not entering high-paying
    professions, the break-even point may be decades
    away.
    At the same time, it is important to acknowledge

    that Yeshiva University’s rebbeim are extraordi-
    nary. Their dedication, scholarship, and personal

    investment in their students are truly remarkable.
    The quality of Torah learning and mentorship at
    YU is something the community can and should be
    proud of. But even with such exceptional rebbeim,

    the financial strain of attending the institution can-
    not be ignored.

    The national trend mirrors this tension: tuition

    continues to rise dramatically while graduates in-
    creasingly find themselves burdened with debt and

    lacking job-specific skills. Under these conditions,
    skepticism about the value of a bachelor’s degree is
    not only understandable—it is rational.

    This article rightly prompts a necessary conversa-
    tion about how higher education can be restruc-
    tured to be both affordable and genuinely worth-
    while for today’s students. RBT

    Vues Master’s Note: Kollel is a lot cheaper!

    CHAREIDIM
    Dear Vues Master:
    Yair Lapid’s recent remarks regarding his proposal
    to revoke voting rights from those who do not serve
    in the IDF reveal a deeply troubling attitude that
    should alarm anyone who cares about the unity and
    future of Klal Yisrael. In clarifying that his plan
    would apply only to Chareidim, while explicitly
    excluding the Arab sector, Lapid has made it clear
    that this is not a principled stand about civic duty,
    but a targeted political attack on a specific segment
    of the Jewish people.
    Lapid argues that voting rights are not “sacred” and
    that rights depend on obligations. Yet his eagerness
    to enforce this standard selectively shows that his
    concern is not fairness, but animosity. As the Shas

    party correctly pointed out, Lapid’s position ex-
    poses a deep bias against Jews who dedicate their

    lives to Torah, who love and contribute to this land
    in countless non-military ways, and who pray daily

    for the safety and success of IDF soldiers. To sug-
    gest that these Jews are somehow less deserving

    of a voice in the democratic process is outrageous.
    MK Meri Porush even noted that antisemites
    abroad would hesitate to say such things today.
    Indeed, when the leader of a major Israeli party

    promotes policies that discriminate against Torah-
    observant Jews, it undermines not only democratic

    values but the very fabric of Jewish unity.
    Lapid’s rhetoric does not solve Israel’s challenges,
    it deepens divisions and fuels resentment. For the
    sake of Klal Yisrael, this kind of targeted hostility
    must be rejected. MT
    Vues Master’s Note: I’m sure Lapid wants to take
    away the voting rights of the Arabs!

    UNSAFE
    Dear Vues Master:

    I am writing as a deeply concerned Flatbush resi-
    dent who is sickened that this violent incident un-
    folded right in our own backyard, on Avenue J, in

    front of Starbucks this past Sunday, and directly
    across from the Yeshiva of Flatbush and Touro

    College. What should have been a typical, peace-
    ful evening instead turned into a chaotic and fright-
    ening scene that no New York community should

    ever have to experience.

    According to reports, a large fight that began af-
    ter a football game near Avenue K and East 17th

    Street spilled into the street, ultimately culminating
    in a shocking shooting on Avenue J and East 16th

    Street. Witnesses described roughly two dozen in-
    dividuals involved, and the situation escalated to

    the point where at least 13 shots were fired in a
    busy residential and commercial area. It is nothing
    short of miraculous that no innocent bystanders,
    families, students, or shoppers were harmed.
    While the firearm was thankfully recovered with
    assistance from Flatbush Shomrim, the suspect

    remains at large. This should alarm all of us. Av-
    enue J is a hub for our families, our schools, and

    our daily lives. We cannot allow violent disorder to
    take root in a community so many have worked so
    hard to build and protect.

    I urge our local leaders, our NYPD precinct, com-
    munity organizations, and residents to demand

    stronger preventive measures and greater police
    visibility in the area. Flatbush deserves to feel safe.
    We cannot afford to look the other way. RST
    Vues Master’s Note: Well, we have cashless bail to
    thank! There is no deterrence!

    MAYOR ELECT
    Dear Vues Master:

    I am deeply troubled by Mayor-elect Zohran Mam-
    dani’s transition-team appointments, particularly

    his choice to place Abby Stein on the Committee
    on Health. What frustrates me most is not simply
    this individual appointment, but what it reveals
    about the mayor-elect’s overall priorities and the
    communities he seems willing to overlook.
    Mamdani has named more than 400 people to 17
    committees, yet among all these selections, there is
    a glaring absence of representation from the city’s
    Orthodox Jewish community, one of the largest and
    most civically engaged religious groups in New
    York. The exclusion feels deliberate, and it sends
    a troubling message about whose voices are valued
    in this incoming administration.
    Stein’s appointment in particular raises serious
    concerns about credibility and alignment with the
    values and traditions of the community she was
    raised in but no longer represents. Many of us feel
    that presenting her as a rabbinic figure or someone
    who speaks for Jewish religious life is misleading.

    Instead of appointing individuals who can effec-
    tively bridge communities, Mamdani appears to

    be rewarding ideological allies while disregarding
    those with deep, long-standing experience serving
    New York’s diverse populations. For a mayor-elect
    who promised to lead a city of many voices, this is
    a deeply disappointing start—and one that should
    concern all New Yorkers. RYZ
    Vues Master’s Note: It is sick and getting sicker!
    Who am I quoting?

    CHECK
    Dear Vues Master:
    In the early days of Medinat Yisrael, the Minister
    of Finance, Eliezer Kaplan, who was not religious,
    would wear a kippah whenever he signed checks.
    When asked why, he explained: “This is the only
    cover(ing) there is.” LB
    Vues Master’s Note: The best coverage, or the best
    cover-up?

    BLACK FRIDAY
    Dear Vues Master:

    I read with astonishment the reports on this year’s

    Black Friday spending. Despite months of warn-
    ings about economic uncertainty, layoffs, rising

    prices, and even the lingering effects of the gov-
    ernment shutdown, Americans still spent record-
    breaking amounts over the holiday weekend.

    Adobe Analytics reported an incredible $11.8 bil-
    lion spent online on Black Friday alone, a 9.1%

    jump from last year, with another $6.4 billion spent
    on Thanksgiving Day. At peak hours, buyers were
    pushing $12.5 million through online checkouts
    every minute. Salesforce and Shopify also reported

    record highs, with Shopify merchants alone mak-
    ing $6.2 billion globally.

    So my question is simple: Where is all this money
    coming from?

    At the same time, we’re hearing about rising credit-
    card debt, more delinquencies, and a surge in “buy

    now, pay later” purchases. Salesforce noted that
    while consumers spent more money, they actually
    bought fewer items because prices have climbed so
    sharply. In-store traffic continues to fall, yet online
    sales keep breaking records—suggesting shoppers
    may be relying more on credit than cash.
    Economists keep reminding us that people are
    “navigating an uncertain environment,” stretching
    purchases, chasing deals, and trying to fit wish-list

    items into shrinking budgets. But if many house-
    holds are struggling with job insecurity and higher

    costs—driven partly by tariffs, how are we still
    fueling more than $1 trillion in holiday spending

    this season? Are Americans truly doing better fi-
    nancially, or are we simply going deeper into debt

    to keep up? NW
    Vues Master’s Note: Debt, debt, un noch amohl
    debt!

    SITUATION IN ISRAEL
    Dear Vues Master:
    I am deeply troubled by the way some people
    speak and behave as though the situation in Eretz
    Yisrael has somehow “returned to normal.” Yes,
    Baruch Hashem, almost all the hostages have come
    home, and for that we are profoundly grateful. But

    to claim that the war is “over” is not only mislead-
    ing, it is dangerous.

    Anyone who listens to the news knows the truth.
    Every day, Tzahal is still engaged in active and
    life-threatening combat with Hezbollah, Iran, and
    their proxies. Soldiers are standing on the front
    lines, and families across Israel continue to live
    with uncertainty and fear. This is not a past-tense

    conflict. This is an ongoing war, one that realisti-
    cally and tragically may continue for years.

    It is painful to hear people speak casually, as though
    the struggle has ended simply because it no longer
    dominates their conversations. Our brothers and
    sisters in Eretz Yisrael do not have that luxury. The
    soldiers of Tzahal risk their lives daily—not only

    for Israel, but for the safety and fu-
    ture of Jews around the world.

    We must not become complacent.
    We must not forget. And we must
    not stop our spiritual support. I urge

    everyone to continue saying Te-
    hillim daily for the protection and

    success of the brave men and wom-
    en fighting on our behalf. Their

    sacrifice is constant; our davening

    should be as well. RSW
    Vues Master’s Note: We should definitely continue

    to daven, do mitzvos, and learn Torah for their pro-
    tection!

    SIMULATION
    Dear Vues Master:

    I read with a mixture of relief and deep apprehen-
    sion about the recent full-scale drill in Ramla,

    where Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah and Integration
    and the National Emergency Authority simulated
    the sudden arrival of tens of thousands of Jews
    fleeing surging antisemitism abroad. On one hand,
    I feel heartened to see Israel preparing seriously

    for a scenario that, tragically, no longer feels far-
    fetched. The image of planes landing one after an-
    other, with officials coordinating housing, medical

    care, schooling, and employment for thousands of
    bewildered new arrivals, shows a level of foresight
    and responsibility that deserves real praise.
    But alongside this pride sits a powerful fear. The
    fact that Israel must rehearse absorbing 800 new
    immigrants a day—many without full paperwork,
    some without clear eligibility—underscores just
    how fragile the situation has become for Jewish

    communities worldwide. This drill is not an ab-
    stract exercise; it is rooted in recent history. The

    lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war, when tens of
    thousands arrived in a sudden wave, and the sharp
    rise in aliyah inquiries since October 7, make the
    scenario feel alarmingly plausible.
    Aliyah Minister Ofir Sofer’s warning that this
    situation “can definitely materialize” hits hard. It

    is comforting to know Israel is preparing a digni-
    fied escape route should the worst occur, yet heart-
    breaking that such preparations are necessary in

    2025.
    I am grateful Israel is taking this seriously. But I

    am also scared that the world is once again reach-
    ing a point where Jewish communities must con-
    template emergency flight. May this drill remain

    only a drill. LP
    Vues Master’s Note: We are not that far from the
    Holocaust! You can never be safe enough!

    EMPATHY
    Dear Vues Master:
    We are taught from an early age about being noseh
    b’ol im chavero—sharing in the pain of our fellow
    Jews. Many times there isn’t much we can do to
    help someone directly, whether the issue is health,

    finances, or personal hardship. But the Torah val-
    ues even simply “feeling their pain,” and many tes-
    tify that those who listen to their troubles already

    bring comfort.

    Right now, many Yidden in Eretz Yisrael are go-
    ing through tremendous suffering—much of which

    barely makes the news. One example is the plight
    of yeshiva bachurim being arrested and held in
    awful conditions for over a month or more. The
    hateful way they are
    treated stands in sharp

    contrast to how pris-
    oners from Islamic

    backgrounds are
    treated; Israeli prison
    or court staff would
    never dare trample
    Islamic culture or
    practices. Yet when

    it comes to sensitivities of Yiddishkeit, there are
    often zero accommodations.

    From the testimonies of released boys and state-
    ments from their rabbanim, the arrests often take

    place in the middle of the night, with the military
    police making as much noise as possible, waking
    families and frightening children. The weeks of
    processing that follow treat these boys as if they

    are enemies of the state. While it may not be physi-
    cal torture, it is certainly spiritual and psycho-
    logical torment: inappropriate music blasted near

    them, interruptions during davening, being forced
    to remove tefillin, and being served questionably
    kosher food. They report that the detainee center
    is intentionally staffed with more female officers
    who speak to them in demeaning ways and create
    deliberate discomfort.
    As the Israeli courts continue their onslaught

    against the charedi community, more boys are be-
    ing forced through this system as arrests escalate.

    These Torah-true boys—following the guidance of

    the Gedolei Yisrael—are spiritual heroes. As Ei-
    cha says, “Al eleh ani bochiya.” Seeing such good

    boys, who only want to learn in peace, being de-
    graded is heartbreaking.

    Unfortunately, there is little most of us can do be-
    yond sharing their pain and speaking about their

    suffering. Those with real financial means, howev-
    er, have an obligation to help Keren Olam HaTorah

    or whichever Israeli rabbanim come to our shuls
    seeking support. They deserve our help far more
    than we need eight nights of Chanukah parties. Not
    that one cannot have both—but priorities matter.
    KLMY
    Vues Master’s Note: Let’s have a great Chanukah
    b’gashmiyus and b’ruchniyus!

    CHINUCH ADVICE
    Dear Vues Master
    As a haschalas Gemara rebbi for many years, I
    would like to offer some ideas to all the fathers,
    mothers, and tutors who may read this. These ideas

    are primarily for the benefit of a child who has dif-
    ficulty learning; however, they may also be helpful

    for all fathers attempting to learn with their sons.
    It is often necessary to help a child by explaining
    that there are different parts of the brain, and each
    part deals with different aspects of learning. One
    part is responsible for memory, one for emotion,
    one for understanding, etc. It is very possible that a

    child does poorly during the first four years of ye-
    shiva because he has difficulty learning words, yet

    when it comes to understanding concepts, he may
    very well be in the upper part of the class. One must
    stress to the child that he may have to work extra
    hard to learn the words, but that does not mean he
    is not capable of doing well in Gemara, which is
    primarily based on havana, understanding.

    It is essential that the father (or tutor) know the Ge-
    mara very well in order to explain it in the clearest

    way possible. A set time should be agreed upon for
    learning. This should not be a time when the father
    is ready to sit down but the child is in the middle
    of a game. It may be necessary for a father to give
    up other sedarim in order to concentrate on what
    his son is learning. A short nap beforehand is a
    good idea so that the father is patient and alert. The
    Rambam says that we all need incentives. Prizes
    worth $500–$1,000 over a year might be one of the

    greatest investments a parent can make. It is cer-
    tainly much cheaper than, chas v’shalom, if your

    son doesn’t do well and later needs much more ex-
    pensive interventions.

    I have seen many weaker children succeed by pre-
    learning the Gemara with a parent or tutor. Doing

    so makes it easier for them to follow along in class
    when the rebbi teaches it for the first time, because
    they are already somewhat familiar with it. They
    are better able to use class time productively, rather

    than wasting it by spacing out or becoming dis-
    ruptive. When a child wastes class time, his self-
    esteem is lowered, and he begins to feel he is not

    capable of learning.
    I have also found it helpful for a child to tape a

    blank piece of paper over the Tosafos in his Ge-
    mara. On this paper he can write the teitch that he

    finds difficult and have it readily available, instead
    of writing it in a separate notebook. He can then
    write a small number over the word in the Gemara
    and the same number on the pasted-on paper. If the
    child does not want to paste in the paper because
    he doesn’t want to be different from the class, the
    father can use a different Gemara exclusively for
    home use.
    “Tuvia’s Gemaras” with nekudos may also be very
    helpful for home use. It is helpful if the father
    makes a list of basic words and reviews them over
    and over with his son. This should be in place of
    the difficult words that the rebbe may require the
    child to know. For a weaker child, those difficult
    words may be very hard to master, and struggling
    with them creates frustration and a sense of failure.
    Instead, he should strive to know the basic words
    well.
    Many children and adults learn more effectively
    through visuals than by listening alone. There are
    several very helpful publications from Feldheim

    Publishers with diagrams depicting the various is-
    sues in the Gemara on the masechtos of Eilu Metzi-
    yos and HaKoneis. An excellent way to clarify a

    particular part of the Gemara is to have the child
    or an adult write the question and answer on that
    Gemara.
    Often, a parent will spend time doing homework in
    which the father simply tells the child the answers,
    or there will be homework in Chumash or Halacha.
    It is good to spend a little time on that homework
    so the child will not think he is exempt from other
    limudim. However, the main emphasis should be
    to prepare for the next day in Gemara. A note to the
    rebbe saying that the child was learning at night
    should be sufficient. Perhaps the father should
    speak to the rebbe to excuse his child from taking

    the tests and make him responsible only for cer-
    tain basic words and questions. Working with the

    rebbe regarding homework and tests is extremely
    important.
    Please feel free to call me at 347-522-5412 if there
    is any way I can be of help.
    Above all, let us daven with all our heart that each
    one of our children should succeed and have a

    geshmak in their learning and their avodas Hash-
    em.

    Hatzlacha rabba v’kol tov tomid,
    A Rebbi
    Vues Master’s Note: Thank you for sharing your
    words of wisdom!