Friday 23 September 2011

Mussar from the weekly Torah portion


Near the end of his life, Moshe Rabbeinu commanded the people, "Now write for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites" (Devarim . 31:19). This verse is the source-text for the obligation of each Jew to write a Torah scroll. (According to most authorities, this mitzvah is fulfilled nowadays by purchasing books on Torah.) But why did Moshe refer to the Torah as a 'song'? In what way should we relate to the Torah as song?

Why study Mussar?

Once, a young scholar wrote Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook Zt"l a letter probing certain philosophical issues, raising questions that had eluded him. Rav Kook was delighted to see the scholar immerse his talents analyzing the philosophical aspects of Torah, unlike most Torah scholars who dedicate themselves solely to Talmudic and practical Halachic studies. Exploring abstract philosophical issues, Rav Kook stressed, is especially important in our times.
Nonetheless, Rav Kook urged the young scholar to approach this field only after a prerequisite study of mussar texts.

"You should first acquire expertise in all moralistic tracts that you come across, starting with the easier texts. Great scholars, wise-hearted and exceptionally pious, wrote this literature from the heart. Many subjects of inquiry cannot be fully grasped until one's emotions have been properly prepared."
In other words, it is important to precede academic inquiry into Torah philosophy with the study of simpler texts that elucidate the unique holiness of Torah. What is the function of this preparatory study? By studying mussar, we gain a proper appreciation and reverence for the subject at hand. Only after this emotional preparation are we ready to delve into an intellectual analysis of Torah.

Engaging the Emotions
It is for this reason, Rav Kook explained, the Torah is called a 'song.' Just as the beauty of song stirs our hearts, so too, the special power of mussar literature lies in its ability to awaken our inner sensitivity to the divine nature of Torah. This emotive preparation is essential, as the study of Torah philosophy only becomes clarified to those who are pure of heart.
While ethical works do not engage the intellect to a high degree, they nonetheless enable the soul to recognize its inner foundations. Of course, one should not be content reading moralistic literature, but should continue with in-depth, analytical study of the Torah and its worldview.

Hence the value of learning Mussar, and the relevance of Mussar nowadays.

This is also elucidated by the opening line of Iggeret HaRamban which quotes the verse from Mishlei:
שמע בני מוסר אביך ואל תיטוש תורת אמך

"Listen my son to the Mussar (instructions) of your father and do not abandon the Torah of your mother."

Mussar is mentioned first, implying a prerequisite to learning Torah. However the verse can also be read somewhat differently. It can be interpreted to mean :
"listen to the Mussar of your father so that you won't abandon the Torah of your mother"

By learning Mussar and gearing ourselves by familiarising ourselves with Jewish ethics, can we retain the Torah forever.

Wednesday 21 September 2011

Mesilat Yesharim - Jewish Ethics

Mesilat Yesharim is written by the Ramchal, and unlike his other works, is solely an ethical / mussar work, and not philosophical.
The aim of the book is the perfection of character. Unlike many other musar books, which are ordered the authors' own lists of character traits, Luzzato builds his work on a Beraita (quoted in many places, including (Bablylonian Talmud, Avodah Zarah 20b)) in the name of the sage Pinchas ben-Yair, whose list goes in order of accomplishment: "Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair said: Torah leads to watchfulness; Watchfulness leads to alacrity; Alacrity leads to cleanliness; Cleanliness leads to abstention; Abstention leads to purity; Purity leads to piety; Piety leads to humility; Humility leads to fear of sin; Fear of sin leads to holiness; Holiness leads to prophecy; Prophecy leads to the resurrection of the dead".
Within each step, Luzzatto explains the step itself, its elements, how it can be acquired, and what might distract from its acquisition. For example: Watchfulness can be acquired by setting aside time for introspection, and acquiring watchfulness can be impaired by excessive mundane responsibilities, wrong company or a cynical stance in life. The same pattern is used for every single one of the traits mentioned.
Mesilat Yesharim enables one to be a better person; a better Jew; and to help create a better world.

Pirkei Avot - Jewish Ethics

INTRODUCTION -
Pirkei Avot, literally Chapters of Our Fathers, is a section of the Mishna, one of the most fundamental works of the Jewish Oral Law. The Mishna was authored in the third century C.E., and discusses laws and customs of virtually all areas of Judaism, ranging from holidays, dietary laws, Temple service, marriage and divorce, and civil law. It records opinions of scholars from approximately the five centuries preceding the Mishna's writing. Pirkei Avot is the only section, or tractate, of the Mishna which is devoted exclusively to the ethical and moral statements of the Sages. For this reason, it is usually referred to in English as Ethics of Our Fathers.

Sunday 18 September 2011

Introduction to Mussar

The purpose of these articles are to enable us to get familiar with the Mussar movement and to enable us to strive closer to G-d, both in the personal and communal sense.

The Mussar Movement as we know it was founded by Rabbi Yisrael Salanter as a response to the Haskalah / Enlightenment movement, which drew many Jews away from Authentic Orthodox Judaism. This came after Anti-Semitism grew more vicious, and the segregations and pogroms lured many to integrate and assimilate with the Nations of the World.

Mussar comes in many different styles and about many different subjects, including Torah Study, service of G-d, treatment of fellow humans, relationship between the Jewish people and G-d, and Teshuva, repentance.

We will look at the different styles and different messages of many classic and contemporary authors such as:


  • Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato (Ramchal)
  • Rambam
  • Rav Kook
  • Chafetz Chaim
  • Rabbeinu Yona
  • Many more
As is stated in the introduction to the Mesilat Yesharim by the Ramchal, the sefer is designed not to teach us new and novel ideas, but rather to remind us about the areas in which we have neglected and need to perfect ourselves in.

Therefore Mussar is not to tell us off and feel depressed and in low spirits;  on the contrary! Mussar is to enable us to be happier, and live a more meaningful life -for our own good.