Mesillat Yesharim
Encyclopedia
The Mesillat Yesharim is an ethical (musar
) text composed by the influential Rabbi
Moshe Chaim Luzzatto
(1707-1746). It is quite different from Luzzato's other writings, which are more philosophical
.
Mesillat Yesharim was written and published in Amsterdam
. The earliest known manuscript of Mesillat Yesharim, written in 1738, was arranged as a dialogue between a hakham (wise man) and a hasid (pious person). Before publication, it was rearranged to have only one speaker.
Mesillat Yesharim is probably Luzzato's most influential work, forming part of the curriculum of virtually every yeshiva
since being introduced by the Mussar Movement
of Rabbi
Yisrael Salanter
.
, 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.
ethical
text of the post-Middle Ages
period. The Vilna Gaon
commented that he couldn't find a superfluous word in the first seven chapters of the work, and stated that he would have traveled to meet the author and learn from his ways if he'd still been alive. These and similar pronouncements largely cleared Luzzato from misgivings by others as to his suspected Sabbatean
leanings.
Musar literature
Musar literature is the term used for didactic Jewish ethical literature which describes virtues and vices and the path towards perfection in a methodical way.- Definition of Musar literature :...
) text composed by the influential Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Moshe Chaim Luzzatto
Moshe Chaim Luzzatto
Moshe Chaim Luzzatto , also known by the Hebrew acronym RaMCHaL , was a prominent Italian Jewish rabbi, kabbalist, and philosopher.-Padua:Born in Padua at night, he received classical Jewish and Italian educations, showing a...
(1707-1746). It is quite different from Luzzato's other writings, which are more philosophical
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
.
Mesillat Yesharim was written and published in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. The earliest known manuscript of Mesillat Yesharim, written in 1738, was arranged as a dialogue between a hakham (wise man) and a hasid (pious person). Before publication, it was rearranged to have only one speaker.
Mesillat Yesharim is probably Luzzato's most influential work, forming part of the curriculum of virtually every yeshiva
Yeshiva
Yeshiva is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study. Study is usually done through daily shiurim and in study pairs called chavrutas...
since being introduced by the Mussar Movement
Mussar movement
The Musar movement is a Jewish ethical, educational and cultural movement that developed in 19th century Eastern Europe, particularly among Orthodox Lithuanian Jews. The Hebrew term Musar , is from the book of Proverbs 1:2 meaning instruction, discipline, or conduct...
of Rabbi
Rabbi
In Judaism, a rabbi is a teacher of Torah. This title derives from the Hebrew word רבי , meaning "My Master" , which is the way a student would address a master of Torah...
Yisrael Salanter
Yisrael Salanter
Rabbi Yisroel Lipkin, better known as "Yisroel Salanter" or "Israel Salanter" , was the father of the Musar movement in Orthodox Judaism and a famed Rosh yeshiva and Talmudist...
.
Aim of the work
The aim is the perfection of character. Unlike many other musar booksMusar literature
Musar literature is the term used for didactic Jewish ethical literature which describes virtues and vices and the path towards perfection in a methodical way.- Definition of Musar literature :...
, 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
Avodah Zarah
Avodah Zarah is the name of a tractate in the Talmud, located in Nezikin, the fourth Order of the Talmud dealing with damages...
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.
Outline
- Introduction
- Man's Duty in this World (Ch. 1)
- Watchfulness (zehirut) (Ch. 2-5)
- Alacrity (zerizut) (Ch. 6-9)
- Cleanliness (of sin, nekiyut) (Ch. 10-12)
- Abstention (of improper practices, perishut) (Ch. 13-15)
- Purity (tahara) (Ch. 16-17)
- Piety (chassidut) (Ch. 18-21)
- Humility (anava) (Ch. 22-23)
- Fear of sin (yirat chet) (Ch. 24-25)
- Holiness (kedusha) (Ch. 26-27)
- Epilogue
Influence
Mesillat Yesharim is perhaps the most important JewishJudaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
ethical
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
text of the post-Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
period. The Vilna Gaon
Vilna Gaon
Elijah ben Shlomo Zalman Kramer, known as the Vilna Gaon or Elijah of Vilna and simply by his Hebrew acronym Gra or Elijah Ben Solomon, , was a Talmudist, halachist, kabbalist, and the foremost leader of non-hasidic Jewry of the past few centuries...
commented that he couldn't find a superfluous word in the first seven chapters of the work, and stated that he would have traveled to meet the author and learn from his ways if he'd still been alive. These and similar pronouncements largely cleared Luzzato from misgivings by others as to his suspected Sabbatean
Sabbatai Zevi
Sabbatai Zevi, , was a Sephardic Rabbi and kabbalist who claimed to be the long-awaited Jewish Messiah. He was the founder of the Jewish Sabbatean movement...
leanings.
Resources/References
- Complete Messillat Yesharim online
- Translations
- Luzzatto, Moses Hayyim. Messillat Yesharim: The Path of the Upright; translated by Mordecai Kaplan from the critical edition. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society. ISBN 9780827608566.
- Luzzato, Rabbi Moshe Chayim. Mesillas Yeshorim; translated by Yosef Leiber. New York: Feldheim Publishers. ISBN 1-58330-691-9.
- Luzzato, Rabbi Moshe Chayim. The Path of the Just; translated by Yaakov Feldman. New York: Jason AronsonJason AronsonJason Aronson is an American publisher of books in the field of psychotherapy. Topics dealt with in these books include child therapy, family therapy, couple therapy, object relations therapy, play therapy, depression, eating disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse, sexual abuse, stress,...
Publishers. ISBN 1-56821-596-7. - Luzzato, Rabbi Moshe Chayim. The Complete Mesillat Yesharim; translated by Avraham Shoshana and associates. Cleveland: Ofeq Institute. ISBN 1-88125-544-4.
- Commentaries on Messilllat Yesharim
- Ira F. StoneIra F. StoneRabbi Ira F. Stone is a leading figure in the contemporary renewal of the Musar movement, a Jewish ethical movement.Stone was ordained as a rabbi at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1979, and proceeded to serve congregations in Seattle and Philadelphia while also teaching at the Jewish...
's commentary, included in the new Jewish Publication Society edition of the book (ISBN 9780827608566). - Hillel, Yaakov Moshe. Ascending the Path: Insights Into Mesillat Yesharim. Jerusalem: Yeshivat Hevrat Ahavat Shalom. 7 vol
- Ohr La'Yesharim on Mesilat Yesharim with a compendium of commentaries and explanations by great rabbis from the Musar Movement.
- Mesilat Yesharim with commentary Sod L'Yesharim, a compendium of commentaries and explanations from other books by the Ramchal.
- Mandelbaum, Alexander Aryeh. Bam'silah Naale.
- Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh on Mesliat Yesharim
- Ira F. Stone