About This Text

Composed: Amsterdam, 1738 CE

Mesillat Yesharim is an ethical (musar) text composed by the influential Rabbi Moshe Chaim ‎Luzzatto (1707–1746). It was written and published in Amsterdam. The earliest known manuscript ‎version, written in 1738, was arranged as a dialogue between a chakham (wise man) and ‎a chasid (pious person). Before publication, it was rearranged to have only one speaker. The ‎dialogue version often sheds light on the better-known version. Mesillat Yesharim is probably ‎Luzzato's most influential work, widely learned in virtually every yeshiva since formal study of ‎musar texts was introduced to the yeshiva curriculum by the Musar Movement of Rabbi Yisrael ‎Salanter. The aim is the perfection of character. Within each step, Luzzatto explains the step itself, ‎its elements, how it can be acquired, and what might detract from its acquisition.‎

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