by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Dedicated in memory of R’ Refoel Zev ben Chaim on his 15th yahrtzeit Rabbi Yisroel Salanter zt”l developed a highly sophisticated method of Mussar Theory and proposed this system to his students in a series of 31 letters printed in a work entitled Ohr Yisroel. What follows is a restatement and re-organization of this system, including an amplification of the underlying message of Rav Salanter. Occasionally, ideas from some of his immediate students, or grand-students, or even great grand-students will be employed to help further this along. The Creator is the Ultimate Giver. We become greater by imitating Him. This is the Mitzvah of v’halachta b’drachav. The Gemorah in Shabbos tells us mah hu rachum af attah rachum. Rav Yisroel Salanter explains that we can give to others by influencing them in Mussar Theory (Ohr Yisroel 5.1). This helps get others on track, but also helps improve our own ways. A good way to develop MUSSAR THEORY is to promote the insights and benefits of MUSSAR THEORY to others. (1.4). This means, not just introducing it to them – but actively promoting specific insights and also specific benefits. Creating analogies in secular knowledge as well as history helps promote Musar Game Theory too. An example of this is the idea espoused by one of the leading Talmidim of the Alter of Slabodka, Rav Dovid Leibowitz. He explained that at times, in order to motivate ourselves to do the right thing – we have to burn our bridges, so to speak. In parshas b’shalach, the pasuk tells us velo nacham elokim lailech derech eretz plishtim ki karov hu. MUSSAR THEORY explores all of the pathways, actions, and psychological aspects of the person. It is also the best manner in which to keep a person on track, awakening various motivational tools within the person (1.1) There are three steps involved in changing a trait: Recognizing it as a fault, controlling the fault, changing the fault. (30.4) MUSSAR THEORY protects a person from being distracted by the Yetzer Harah. (1.2) MUSSAR THEORY requires effort in both restraining oneself from committing evil as well as changing oneself into a force of good (17.2). Human beings have a potential to fall to the lowest depths. They also have the ability to rise to the highest heights. Even if you do not detect change in your personal MUSSAR CONDUCT – it enters the subconscious mind and makes a difference. The Yetzer Harah has an extraordinary ability to distract us from our goals. The Mesilas Yesharim describes him as Ki ish milchama hu, umelumad b’armimus – He is a man of war skilled in the art of deceiving. The best way to tackle this is the realization that growth in MUSSAR always makes a difference and enters the subconscious mind. MUSSAR THEORY can only be internalized by implementing tailor-made strategies. (1.3) MUSSAR THEORY requires daily times of studying its underlying theories. (2.1) There are two aspects to developing one’s own MUSSAR THEORY: learning from error (2.2) learning to use it on the fly in real-life practical situations. (2.2) One must draw people toward the use of MUSSAR THEORY. (2.3) When drawing others to it, one should highlight one’s own skills in specific areas of MUSSAR THEORY. (2.4) Everyone must employ MUSSAR THEORY (3.1) Methods invoked in refining one particular character trait may not necessarily work when […]
The post 223rd Birthday of Rav Yisroel Salanter founder of the Mussar Movement appeared first on The Yeshiva World.
View Source: Read More
Recent Post
Gallery
Featured Videos
