Q. “Kvod Horav Shlit’a. I’m the Menahel (director) of a traditional Torah Cheider (Yeshiva for younger boys). From many years of experience, I have noticed that teachers often behave in two very specific and contrary educational processes towards their students.
Some teachers place their main efforts in rewarding and being pleasant to the good students, when they behave and learn well. While others, on the contrary focus in admonishing and being reproachful to the ones that do not follow the due process wanted in class.

As the school year is about to begin, what is Horav Miller’s Shlit’a opinion as being the preferred and best method?”

A. Although a well known fundamental Pasuk teaches that; “Sur Merah Va’ase Tov” (Firstly one must turn away from the evil, and then do the right good thing’ (Tehilim 34: 14)”, yet, Horav Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one usually needs a practical workable combination of the two processes, and one should in principle put a primordial effort to be positive, being pleasant and rewarding.”

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by, Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a