Acharonim

18th-century compilation of 17 sermons delivered by the Chida on the Shabbatot before Yom Kippur, Purim, Pesach, and Shavuot.

Ahavat Yisrael

20th-century essay on the prohibition of baseless hatred, by the Chafetz Chaim.

Cheshbon HaNefesh

Early 19th-century guide to self-improvement, modeled on Benjamin Franklin’s program of systematic refinement of 13 distinct character traits.

Davar BeItto

20th-century work by the Chafetz Chaim admonishing those who eat non-kosher food while traveling and encouraging them to maintain their standards of observance at all times

Iggeret HaGra

18th-century ethical will that the Vilna Gaon sent to his family before his planned immigration to Israel.

Kav HaYashar

Influential 18th-century collection of stories, ethics, and customs with frequent quotations from the Zohar.

Kuntres Chovat HaShemirah

20th-century essay on the power of speech and guarding one's speech, by the Chafetz Chaim.

Kuntres Sefat Tamim

20th-century essay on the prohibitions of lying, theft, and usury, by the Chafetz Chaim.

Ma'amar Torat HaBayit

20th-century work of the Chafetz Chaim on the importance of learning Torah during one’s free time.

Mesillat Yesharim

Widely-studied 18th-century work by the Ramchal, structured around a progression of ideal character traits quoted in the Talmud

Ohr Yisrael

Teachings of R. Israel Salanter, founder of the 19th-century Musar movement

Pele Yoetz

19th-century accessible work on fundamental ethical principles, organized alphabetically.

Sefer HaChaim

16th-century ethical work by Rabbi Betzalel ben Chaim of Friedberg, brother of the Maharal of Prague.

Shemirat HaLashon

19th-century ethical treatise on proper speech by the Chafetz Chaim, often printed together with his legal work on the topic.

Shenei Luchot HaBerit

17th-century encyclopedic compilation of ethics, mysticism, and law that profoundly influenced the development of Chasidut; also known as the Shelah

Shevet Musar

18th-century ethical work divided into 52 chapters, corresponding to the weeks of the year

Ya'arot Devash I

18th-century collection of sermons on ethical matters delivered by R. Yonatan Eybeschutz

Ya'arot Devash II

18th-century collection of sermons on ethical matters delivered by R' Jonathan Eybeschutz

Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah

18th-century guide to prayer and ethics, based heavily on the Zohar and the teachings of the Arizal.