The Mussar literature’s beginning can be traced back to today’s daf TB Avodah Zarah 20. But first what is Mussar? “Mussar refers to a spiritual perspective and also to a discipline of transformative practices. It also a popular movement that developed primarily in Lithuania in the second half of the 19th century, under the leadership of Rabbi Israel Lipkin Salanter. The word mussar itself means ‘correction’ or ‘instruction’ and also serves as a simple modern Hebrew word for ‘ethics.’ But Mussar is most accurately described as a way of life. It shines light on the causes of suffering and shows us how to realize our highest spiritual potential, including an everyday experience infused with happiness, trust, and love.” (Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis, page 8)
“From
here Rabbi Pineḥas ben Ya’ir would say: Torah study leads to care (זְהִירוּת)
in the performance of mitzvot. Care in the performance of mitzvot leads
to diligence (זְרִיזוּת)
in their observance. Diligence leads to cleanliness (נְקִיּוּת)
of the soul. Cleanliness of the soul leads to abstention (פְּרִישׁוּת) from all evil. Abstention from evil leads to
purity (טׇהֳרָה) and the elimination of all base desires. Purity leads to
piety (חֲסִידוּת). Piety leads to humility (עֲנָוָה). Humility leads to fear of sin (יִרְאַת חֵטְא). Fear of sin leads to holiness (קְדוּשָּׁה). Holiness leads to the Divine Spirit (רוּחַ הַקּוֹדֶשׁ). The Divine Spirit leads to the
resurrection of the dead (חִיַּית הַמֵּתִים). And piety is greater than all of
them, as it is stated: “Then You did speak in a vision to Your pious ones” (Psalms 89:20).”
In Amsterdam Moshe
Hayyim Luzzatto wrote his magnus opus the Mesillat Yesharim (The Path
of the Upright) in 1740. It is essentially an ethical treatise but with
certain mystical underpinnings. The book presents a step-by-step process based with
chapters based upon the above sugiyah
by which every person can overcome the inclination to sin and might eventually
experience a divine inspiration similar to prophecy. I can recommend Mordecai Kaplan’s
critical edition with the translation and notes published by Aronson and Rabbi
Abraham J Twersky’s lights along the way: timeless lessons for today from Rabbi
Moshe Chaim Luzzatto’s Mesillat Yesharim published by Art scroll.
Who doesn’t want to
become a better human being?! If you’re interested in learning more about the
modern day Mussar movement and how it can transform your life, I can recommend Everyday
Holiness by Alan Morinis and Changing the World from the Inside
Out by David Jaffe.
No comments:
Post a Comment