Now, I am neither a Rabbi nor a scholar but I do try to think (contrary to what you may have heard about surgeons). A path suggested by our recent Scholar in Residence, Rabbi Marcia Plumb struck a familiar chord in me. She discussed how Mussar teachings can be used to create a sense of wholeness in one’s life.
Very, briefly the Mussar movement centered in Lithuania during the mid 1800’s and was led by Rabbi Yisrael Salanter. Much was lost during the Holocaust, but it has become a thriving movement in recent years. Mussar teachers have sought to help transform lives and get people on the path of holiness. The path they describe is not in any way esoteric or otherworldly, but vey much within the realm of our own familiar lives. They describe inner traits which when balanced and developed bring a sense of peace, wholeness, and holiness to the individual. These traits are: gratitude, humility, patience, compassion, order, equanimity, honor, simplicity, enthusiasm, silence, generosity, truth, moderation, loving-kindness, responsibility, trust, faith, and yirah. An individual picks 13 traits to work on. Then practices that trait for one week; the cycle is then repeated 4 times during the year.
Over the next several months I am going to apply these traits to TE and the column.
Not surprisingly, I will begin with Gratitude in next months column.
For those with more interest or just to check out what I am describing, a good place to start is Everday Holiness by Alan Morinis or the website: www.mussarinstitute.org
Dr. Melissa Perkal