Imagine a talmid (student) coming home and announcing with great excitement, “My Rebbe sent me to the Menahel (Principal) today!” As his family members gasp and stare at him in shock, trying to figure out what their child has done and why he is so excited about it, the boy smiles brightly and proudly shows them his Samachti (lit. “I am delighted”) card.
At Yeshiva Ohr Boruch, the Veitzener Cheder, many talmidim have been sent to the Menahel, Rav Mandel, shlit”a, over the last few weeks – for learning geshmak (with gusto); davening geshmak; getting along well with chaveirim (classmates); dibur b’nachas (speaking gently), etc. Whenever a Rebbe observes positive behavior being exhibited by a talmid, he fills out a card that the boy happily brings to the Menahel. After receiving a warm Bruchim Habaim greeting, the student gives the Menahel his card, and in return, receives a beautiful Samachti card to bring home and generate nachas. The card is filled out by Rav Mandel with a great flourish, to ensure that the talmid cherishes that special shining moment and looks forward to another such occasion.
Cheder Rebbeim are constantly looking out for positive actions by talmidim, which, Baruch HaShem, are quite easy to spot at the Veitzener Cheder. Parents are encouraged to look for Samachti cards. Next time they wish their son a good day, they may want to add, “… and I hope you are sent to the Menahel today”.