Category Archives: Mussar

R’ Aryeh Leib, son of the Chofetz Chaim, was a child genius.  Once he had the occasion to present a Talmudic lecture to a group of exceptional scholars, whom he dazzled by resolving a difficult problem raised in the Shaagas … Continue reading →

The Baal Shem Tov taught that man decides his own punishment for his transgressions.  “He is given the opportunity to view someone else doing exactly what he did, in a slightly camouflaged form, and in a fit of righteous indignation … Continue reading →

“A person attains a higher level of piety by conquering his anger than he would by fasting a thousand days.” ~ R’ Moshe Leib of Sassov zt”l – Torah Tavlin

In the town of Kelm, home of the famous Talmud Torah, which was the seed bed of the Mussar movement, there was a small general store for the use of the yeshiva students.  In order not to take anyone from … Continue reading →

“Great things are not what is demanded from our generation. The previous generations did all that for us. We need only do the small things—but in a more difficult time. For us, self-sacrifice could mean nothing more than a simple … Continue reading →

“One should try not to verbalize his intentions to perform a mitzvah or a good deed, for once he enunciates his plans, they tend to go awry.  If he says little, keeping his good plans to himself, he will succeed … Continue reading →

“If dishes are packed well and tight, one next to the other, the box can be moved about and none of the dishes will break.  If they are packed loosely, even the slightest jar is liable to break them.  So … Continue reading →