from the mussar masters

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“One who acquires understanding loves his soul, guarding understanding to find good.” --Proverbs 19:8

 “Of Your precepts I speak and I look at Your paths. I occupy myself with Your statutes, I will not forget Your word.” --Psalms 119:15

“Ready my steps in Your word, and do not let any iniquity dominate me.” --Psalms 119:133

“Whosoever possesses these three qualities belongs to the disciples of Abraham our father: a generous eye, a humble spirit, and a meek soul.” --Avot 5:22

“Cursed is he who misleads an undiscerning person.” --Deutoronomy 27:18

Regarding the cleanliness of language, it is said: “The throne [of the Mashiach] will be established with benevolence and he will sit on it through truth.” – Isaiah 16:5

“Who is courageous? One who conquers his inclination.” --Avot 4:1

“Envy, lust and the [pursuit of honor] remove man from the world.” --Avot 4:21

 

from the mussar masters

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Hillel says, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, who am I? If not now, when?" – Avot 1:14

“He who has not yet ruled over his evil inclination is like one lost along the paths [of the maze] unable to differentiate between them.” – The Path of the Just, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto

“Commit your way to Hashem, rely on Him and He will act. He will bring forth your righteousness like a light, and your justice like the high noon.” – Psalms 37:5-6

“Align the course of your feet, and [thereby] all your ways will be corrected.” – Proverbs 4:26

“Generally, one must be content to rely on logic and make his determination based on probability. Moreover, one must reach his logical decisions quickly, for most situations require alacrity so that the opportune moment does not pass.” – Rabbi M.M. Lefin of Satanov, Cheshbon HaNefesh

from the mussar masters

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“Align the course of your feet, and [thereby] all your ways will be corrected.” – Proverbs 4:26

“If a person in need of discipline is obstinate and resistive, he may suddenly crumble, and there will be healing for him.” --Proverbs 29:1

“One who deals responsibly and truthfully with others and with whom the souls of others are at ease, it is as if they have fulfilled the entire Torah. --Mekhilta on Exodus 15:26

“In all your ways know Him and He will align your paths.” --Proverbs 3:6

“It is good to give charity before praying.” --Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim 92:10

“Only he who prepares prior to Shabbat eats on Shabbat." --Talmud, Avodah Zara 3a

“All your actions and possessions should be orderly – each and every one in a set place and set time. Let your thoughts always be free to deal with that which lies ahead of you.” – Rabbi M.M. Lefin of Satanov,  Cheshbon Hanefesh

“Fish die when they are out of water, and people die without law and order.” --Talmud

parasha noach and equanimity of judgment

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Commentary on Parasha Noach from the First Fruits of Zion Torah Club v.1 audio magazine by Boaz Michael and Toby Janicki. Used with permission.

This discussion on Parasha Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32) reflects on the personal ethics of judging one another, giving the benefit of the doubt, and holding equanimity when dealing with these situations. 

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lessons from a beetle

lessons from a beetle

art-beetleLast fall, my wife and I took a 10 mile walk on the Snoqualmie-Preston trail east of Seattle.  It’s a very scenic trail near the famous Snoqualmie Falls and is in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.  The unfortunate thing about walking on trails like this is you can’t always have your head up to view the scenery.  There’s a lot going on beneath your feet that requires extra care as you walk.  One wrong move and you will step in goose guano, slip on a slug, or crunch a bug.

be sure, then go ahead

be sure, then go ahead

The greatest impediment to ethical growth may not be ignorance, but immobility. We might have a sense of right, and a conviction about some excellent course of action, but fail to pursue it through indecisiveness, endlessly weighing the pros and cons, or the difficulties and complications and never getting around to doing the right thing.

pleasant with the young

pleasant with the young

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When one is engaged in any act of service, such as giving charity, offering prayer, performing an obligatory or voluntary act, or voicing rebuke, he should not engage in it with any pride or arrogance in his heart.  Rather, he should be humble and lowly before the Creator, both outwardly and inwardly.  [His act] should be as nothing to him, when compared with how much he owes G-d – so much more than this one act!  As it says, "With what shall I come before Hashem, bow low before G-d on high?  Shall I come before Him with burnt-offerings, with yearling calves?  Would G-d be pleased with thousands of rams?... He has told you, O man, what is good, and what G-d requires of you: only to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk modestly with your G-d."  (Micah 6:6-8)  – Rabbi Bachya ibn Paquda, Duties of the Heart, The Gate of Humility

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These are our special April Fools 2012 articles. Trust with caution!

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