Chanukah Presents for Rebbes

Please define what constitutes a nice Chanukah present for a Rebbi.

I like options 1&3 (especially 1). Option 2 is far fetched, and would only be true if they only learned well after Chanukah.

BaalHabooze, I assume that someone who simply can’t afford it would be an exception.

Obviously, it’s a matter of affording it, but on the other hand many don’t, choosing other ‘priorities’ over school tuition. For some it’s a second car, a second house, fancy expensive clothes. Choosing your ‘priority’ over full tuition is very commonplace, opting for a school reduction or not paying at all. I never go on vacation with my family, as our budget doesn’t fit that lifestyle. I have invested in a villa for our summer monthes and that’s our vacation. I don’t have expensive clothes, I don’t drive a fancy car, and never eat out in restaurants.

Abba bar Aristotle – remember, soinah matonos yichya

My unscientific observation is that the children of the full tuition paying gvirim, (those young motivated go getters who got where they are because they are very aggressive) have a much higher incidence of ADD.

Which should lead us to conclude, that ADD is not a bad thing.

No, it is under the working assumption that being successful at whatever you are trying to do, is a good thing.

As someone who has been in kollel for many years and hopes to continue learning for life, I make sure to give the Rebbeim and Morahs a PERCENTAGE of the tuition I pay for that child.

When we use a taxi we give a 15 – 20 percent tip. Same when we tip the waiter at a restaurant we give a percentage of the total bill.

I am NOT suggesting a specific percentage but I think the Rebbe or Morah should get a percentage of the tuition paid – pick a FAIR and REASONABLE percentage, from as low as 5% (which is FAR lower than what you would give a taxi driver or a waiter!).

BTW – the Rebbe should ALSO be given the largest and nicest M’shlach Monos on Purim. This is mechanech your child that the Rebbe is the choshuvste person on your list. To your child, the Rebbe is more important than the local Rov or your Rosh Yeshiva/Kollel. It instills a chashivus for learning in your child!

I add Purim Gelt to the Rebbe and Morah on Purim too (as Mo’os Purim is mentioned in Shas – albeit in another context).

I would agree with your reason number one. I would just tweak it slightly. I think that the parents who give nice gifts (based on what they can afford) are (in general) people for whom the chinuch of their children in a main focus of their lives. Children who have parents who are so dedicated to them, on average, live up to their parents goals more closely.

P.S. I very specifically wrote the words “on average”. I am very well aware of many cases where good, dedicated parents have children who stray far from their parents ideals. But I believe it to be indisputable that children do better with dedicated parents.

P.P.S. On behalf of myself and many other Rabbeim, I would like to express my appreciation to to all those of you who open your wallets and checkbooks to so generously give the gifts that you can afford (whatever amount they may be). I would like to doubly thank those of you who include a note or card of appreciation that specifically mentions some of the nice attributes of the Rebbe and how your child has gained from him. Children do not often express genuine appreciation for all of the dedication and hard work that the Rabbeim put it. It is easy to feel that your efforts are not noticed and not making a real difference. Reading a card that says “My son is excited to learn parsha because of the excitement with which you tell it over” or the like, can make a Rebbe’s day.