Mesillat Yesharim - Article Index

Encyclopedia - Mesillat Yesharim: 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...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Free Will: Encyclopedia - Free Will
Free will is the philosophical doctrine that holds that our choices are ultimately up to ourselves. The phrase "up to ourselves" is vague...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mussar Movement: Encyclopedia - Mussar Movement
The Hebrew term mussar, while literally derived from a word meaning "tradition", usually refers to Jewish ethics in general, or (and more...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yeshiva: Encyclopedia - Yeshiva
Yeshiva or yeshivah (Hebrew: ישיבה pl. yeshivot or yeshivos) is an institution for Torah study and the study of Talmud primarily wit...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Jewish Ethics: Encyclopedia Ii - Jewish Ethics - Ethics In Rabbinic Literature
Hillel the elder formulated the Golden rule of Jewish ethics "What is painful to you, do not do unto others". (Talmud, tracate Shabbat 31...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yeshiva: Encyclopedia Ii - Yeshiva - Method Of Study
Studying is usually done together with a study-partner called a chavrusa (Aramaic: "friend"), or in a shiur ("lecture"). Yeshiva - Talmu...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Free Will: Encyclopedia Ii - Free Will - In Theology
The theological doctrine of divine foreknowledge is often alleged to be in conflict with free will. After all, if God knows exactly what ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yeshiva: Encyclopedia Ii - Yeshiva - History
Yeshiva - Pre-1800s. Traditionally, every town rabbi had the right to maintain a number of full-time or part-time pupils in the town's ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mussar Movement: Encyclopedia Ii - Mussar Movement - Founders
The Mussar movement arose among the non-Hasidic Orthodox Jews of Lithuania, and became a trend in Orthodox yeshivot (schools of Jewish le...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Jewish Ethics: Encyclopedia Ii - Jewish Ethics - Peace And Hatred
Peace is everywhere recommended, and urged as the highest boon of man (Midrash Numbers Rabbah xi.; Talmud Pesachim i. 1.) Hatred, quarrel...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Jewish Ethics: Encyclopedia Ii - Jewish Ethics - Truth And Peace
"The first question asked at the Last Judgment is whether one has dealt justly with his neighbor" (Talmud, tractate Shabbat 31a). "A good...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Jewish Ethics: Encyclopedia Ii - Jewish Ethics - Sanctification Of God's Name
The idea of God's holiness became in rabbinical ethics one of the most powerful incentives to pure and noble conduct. "Thou shalt love th...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Jewish Ethics: Encyclopedia Ii - Jewish Ethics - Charity
The Jewish idea of righteousness ("tzedakah") includes benevolence and charity. The owner of property has no right to withhold from the p...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yeshiva: Encyclopedia Ii - Yeshiva - Types Of Yeshivot
There are four types of yeshivoth: Yeshiva Ketana ("small yeshiva") - Also called Cheder, for elementary school students. Many Yeshivot ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mussar Movement: Encyclopedia Ii - Mussar Movement - Origin Of The Movement
This movement began among non-Hasidic Jews as a response to the social changes brought about by The Enlightenment, and the corresponding ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Mussar Movement: Encyclopedia Ii - Mussar Movement - Classical Jewish Ethical Literature
The classical rabbinic Jewish works of ethics and moral instruction, still studied today, include: Hovot ha-Levavot (Duties of the Heart...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Jewish Ethics: Encyclopedia Ii - Jewish Ethics - Justice
Social ethics is defined by Rabbi Simeon ben Gamaliel's words: "The world rests on three things: justice, truth, and peace" (Avot 1:18). ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Jewish Ethics: Encyclopedia Ii - Jewish Ethics - Animals And The Environment
The Biblical commands regarding the treatment of the brute (Ex. xx. 10; Lev. xxii. 28; Deut. xxv. 4; Prov. xii. 10) are amplified in rabb...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yeshiva: Encyclopedia Ii - Yeshiva - Prominent Yeshivot
The largest yeshivot currently include: Yeshiva - In the United States. Beth Medrash Govoha, also known as "Lakewood yeshiva" (Lakewoo...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Free Will: Encyclopedia Ii - Free Will - Compatibilist Theories And The Could-have-done-otherwise Principle
Many claim that, in order for a choice to be free in any sense that matters, it must be true that the agent could have done otherwise. Th...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Free Will: Encyclopedia Ii - Free Will - Determinism Versus Indeterminism
Determinism holds that each state of affairs is necessitated (determined) by the states of affairs that preceded it, an extension of caus...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Free Will: Encyclopedia Ii - Free Will - The Science Of Free Will
Throughout the history of science, attempts have been made to answer the question of free will using scientific principles. Early scienti...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yeshiva: Encyclopedia Ii - Yeshiva - Academic Year
The year is divided into three periods called zmanim ("times" or "semesters"). Elul zman starts from the beginning of the Hebrew month of...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Jewish Ethics: Encyclopedia Ii - Jewish Ethics - Prophetic Ethics
The Biblical prophets exhort all people to lead a righteous life. The ritual elements and sacerdotal institutions incidental to Israel's ...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Jewish Ethics: Encyclopedia Ii - Jewish Ethics - Altruistic Virtues
Honesty and truthfulness are absolutely prerequisite. Stealing, flattery, falsehood, perjury and false swearing, oppression, even if only...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Jewish Ethics: Encyclopedia Ii - Jewish Ethics - Jewish Family Ethics
Great stress is laid on reverence for parents. Central to society is the nuclear family. Its head is the father; yet the mother as his eq...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Free Will: Encyclopedia Ii - Free Will - Moral Responsibility
We generally hold people responsible for their actions, and will say that they deserve praise or blame for what they do. However, many be...   » Read the article

Encyclopedia - Yeshiva: Encyclopedia Ii - Yeshiva - Typical Schedule
They following is a typical daily schedule for Beis Medrash students 7:00 am- Optional seder (study session) 7:30 am- Morning prayers 8:...   » Read the article