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Most people think that rules help you out for your own good, but is that always true? What about those commands that can deprive you of who you are? You might think that rules that keep you from running in the hallways or throwing pencils at your fellow classmates aren't a big deal, but other rules can decide life-or-death situations. Friends, like Rivka in //The Devil's Arithmetic//, can help you through tough times with their important advice on what not to do and what to do. The concentration camp’s rules and Rivka’s rules are alike and at the same time, very different.

The official versions of the camp rules come from people such as the three-fingered woman, the tattooist, and the commandant. One rule is to don't answer back. You always have to say yes to whatever the authority says. They want to show the prisoners who's boss, and if they give rules, won't the prisoners be intimidated? Also, never call attention to yourself. If you do, your basically saying, "hey, come hit me with your rifle butt!". Although, The camp is basically depriving you of your freedom Most importantly, if you work hard, you will live. If you don't do any of the labor they ask of you and just stand there, you won't be here tomorrow. The camp wants to get work done, and what better way than to intimidate you with other missing neighbors.

Rivka, a survivor, gives some tips to the the //zugangi,// the newcomers. One of her rule's is to know when to fight back and when not to defend yourself. There are those special times when you must stand up for you and your people, but there's also those times when it's probably better if you don't. To show the Nazis that you won't break and that you won't give them a reason to discipline you. You should also call each other by your real names, not the numbers, but you still must know your number by heart. By using your real names, you'll remember who you are, or were before this dark time. Lastly, let go of //musselmen//. These are people who are basically the walking dead in this camp. They've lost all hope and they probably don't think they are going to last. They are thinking that they should do anything, no matter how harsh or how inhumane something is. Rivka wants to make sure that what happened to her brother, Wolfe (who is now a mussleman), doesn't happen again. "If you are alive now, this minute, it is enough." quote Rivka.

Rivka's rules helps the prisoners more. With Rivka's helping, caring attitude, the people should be able to trust her and come to her for help without getting caught. If you are sick and you go to the soldiers, they'll send you to a hospital, and you will never come out. If you go to Rivka, she will help you secretly. It could be helpful to rely on Rivka and not have to go to the soldiers. Her rules should be the most important to the prisoners.