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Mesillat Yesharim - Aim of the work

Mesillat Yesharim - Aim of the work: Encyclopedia II - Mesillat Yesharim - Aim of the work

The aim of the work is the perfection of character. Rather than innovating a new system, Luzzato builds his work on a Beraita in the name of the sage Pinchas ben-Yair as mentioned in the Talmud: Torah (study) leads to watchfulness (zehirut) Watchfulness leads to alacrity (zerizut) Alacrity leads to cleanliness (of sin, nekiyut) Cleanliness leads to abstention (of improper practices, perishut) Abstention leads to purity (tahara) Purity leads to holine ...

Mesillat Yesharim: Encyclopedia II - Mesillat Yesharim - Aim of the work

Mesillat Yesharim - Aim of the work

The aim of the work is the perfection of character. Rather than innovating a new system, Luzzato builds his work on a Beraita in the name of the sage Pinchas ben-Yair as mentioned in the Talmud:

Torah (study) leads to watchfulness (zehirut) Watchfulness leads to alacrity (zerizut) Alacrity leads to cleanliness (of sin, nekiyut) Cleanliness leads to abstention (of improper practices, perishut) Abstention leads to purity (tahara) Purity leads to holiness (kedusha) Holiness leads to humility (anava) Humility leads to fear of sin (yirat chet) Fear of sin leads to righteousness (chassidut) Righteousness leads to Divine inspiration (Ruach ha-Kodesh) Divine inspiration leads to Resurrection of the Dead (techiyat ha-metim). (Bablylonian Talmud, tractate Avodah Zarah 20b).

Luzzato clarifies what each term means, how it can be acquired and what might distract from its acquisition. For example: watchfulness can be acquired by setting aside time for introspection, and acquiring watchfulness can be impaired by excessive mundane responsibilites, wrong company or a cynical stance in life. The same pattern is used for every single one of the traits mentioned.