(ב) לָדַ֣עַת חָכְמָ֣ה וּמוּסָ֑ר לְ֝הָבִ֗ין אִמְרֵ֥י בִינָֽה׃
For learning wisdom and instruction (mussar); For understanding words of discernment;
(א) צוואת הריב"ש ע"ה. להיות תמים בעבודתו יתברך עבודה תמה ועיקר שלא לשכוח הדברים. ועיקר ללמוד בכל יום שיעור מוסר הן רב הן מעט. ולראות א"ע תמיד להדבק א"ע במדות טובות והנהגות ישרות ושלא יניח שום יום מעשיית מצוה הן קלה הן חמורה.
The essential thing is to study every day a measure of mussar, whether much or little, to see oneself always, to attach oneself to good qualities (midot tovot) and righteous behaviors, that not a single day should one rest without enacting a mitzvah -- whether easy or difficult.
Rabbi Zvi Miller in his translator's introduction to Yisrael Salanter's Ohr Yisrael, p.38
The Midrash teaches (Bereshit Rabbah 11:6), “Everything that came into being during the first six days of creation requires improvement – for example, the mustard seed needs to be sweetened … also humanity needs rectification.” Our world is a world of transformation. When we are improving and refining ourselves, we are in concert with the Divine plan – fulfilling our purpose for existing in this world … Not only is the human being created for this purpose, but he is also given the ability and capacity to attain this supreme goal.
With Heart in Mind, Alan Morinis p.4
The main gift that the Mussar tradition makes available to us is a very accurate map of the inner life, along with practices to help us develop in the direction of our ideals.
The proposition that lies at the heart of Mussar is that because life is inherently a process of growing and we have free will, it is within our power and capacity to direct the process of our own change…The more we become living embodiments of our ideals, the more we transition from our partialness (even brokenness) toward becoming more whole, and in wholeness we become vessels for holiness itself. The mussar masters tell us that this is the open secret that makes sense of the journey of life.
Everyday Holiness by Alan Morinis (p.3)
Every one of us is assigned to master something in our lives. You have already been given your assignment and you have already encountered it, though you may not be aware that what faces you is a curriculum, nor that this is the central task of your life… What I am calling your curriculum shows up most clearly in issues that repeatedly challenge you. I’m talking about the behaviors that dunk you in the same soup, time and time again. You probably can identify one or two of these patterns without much effort, in a string of soured or even broken relationships, in financial dreams that are never realized, in fulfillment that is forever elusive. But despite your experience, you may not have realized that there is a curriculum lying embedded within this personal history. The sooner you become familiar with your curriculum and got on with mastering it, the faster you’ll get free of these habitual patterns. Then you will suffer less. Then you will cause less suffering for others. Then you will make the contribution to the world that is your unique and highest potential…
Classical Mussar Texts:
Proverbs -- Bible -- anonymous -- ancient ancient
Pirke Avot -- Ethics of the Fathers -- Rabbinic Sages 3rd c. or earlier
Book of Beliefs and Opinions -- Sa’adia Gaon 10th c.
Chovot Levavot – Duties of the Heart -- Bahya Ibn Pekudah 10th c.
Mesilat Yesharim – The Path of the Upright -- Moses Hayyim Luzzato 18th c.
Ohr Yisrael -- Light of Israel -- Rabbi Yisrael Salanter – 19th c.
Contemporary Mussar:
Alan Morinis -- Every Day, Holy Day, Everyday Holiness, With Heart in Mind
Ira Stone -- A Responsible Life