Daily Learning and Introspection
Methods for Changing Character From one of the most popular mussar works: “The foundation of ethical education (hachinukh hamussari) is not listening to mussar talks (shmuessen) and reading articles, but in fixed daily learning. The things people usually say, write, preach, and think about in the name of “mussar” are really “desert”, while the central […]
Social Environment
Methods for Changing Character Jewish ethical literature emphasizes the powerful influence our social environment has on our character, behavior, and spiritual lives. Who we associate with is a big factor in determining what kind of people we will become. It follows that one way to change character is to choose a social environment that will […]
Directed Imaging
Methods for Changing Character The following collection of imaging methods, found in Jewish ethical literature, complements our discussion of the place of imagination in character building (based on Rav Dessler’s discussion in Mikhtav M’Eliahu 4). Hearing a shofar A person should constantly imagine hearing a shofar in his ears. (Yaarot Dvash — Drush 1) Humility […]
The Power of Imagination
Methods for Changing Character How to Change? This is the first of a series on methods for changing character. Much moral and ethical literature focuses on what or why to change. How to change gets much less attention. We collect some of the material in this series. We open with a discussion largely based on […]
Step by Step
Methods for Changing Character The task of character development is often overwhelming. We see where we presently are, what we want to change into, and the gap between the two, and realize how difficult a task is in front of us. Because of this, many of our teachers encourage us to progress slowly, step by […]