PHILADELPHIA MUSSAR INSTITUTE
    Mussar in the climate of Conservative Judaism and the teaching of Emmanuel Levinas



Middot

The thirteen middot (character traits) as outlined by Rabbi Mendel of Satanov in his book Cheshbon ha-Nefesh.[1]

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1 Equanimity
Menuchat
ha-nefesh
מְנוּחַת הַנֶפֶשׁ
Rise above events that are inconsequential — both bad and good — for they are not worth disturbing your equanimity.
2 Patience
Savlanut
סַבְלָנוּת
When something bad happens to you and you did not have the power to avoid it, do not aggravate the situation even more through wasted grief.
3 Order
Seder
סֵדֶר
All of your actions and possessions should be orderly—each and every one in a set place and at a set time. Let your thoughts always be free to deal with that which lies ahead of you.
4 Decisiveness
Harizut
חָרִיצוּת
All of your acts should be preceded by deliberation; when you have reached a decision, act without hesitating.
5 Cleanliness
Nekiyut
נְקְיוּת
Let no stain or ugliness be found in your possessions or in your home, and surely not on your body or clothes.
6 Humility
Anavah
עֲנָוָה
Always seek to learn wisdom from every man, to recognize your failings and correct them. In doing so you will learn to stop thinking about your virtues and you will take your mind off your friend's faults.
7 Righteousness
Tzedek
צֶדֶק
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.
8 Frugality
Keemutz
קְמּוּץ
Be careful with your money. Do not spend even a penny needlessly.
9 Diligence/Zeal
Zerizut
זְרִיזוּת
Always find something to do — for yourself or for a friend and do not allow a moment of your life to be wasted.
10 Silence
Shtikah
שְׁתִיקָה
Before you open your mouth, be silent and reflect: "What benefit will my speech bring to me or others?"
11 Calmness
Nichutah
נִיחוּתָא
The words of the wise are stated gently. In being good, do not be called evil.
12 Truth
Emet
אֱמֶת
Do not allow anything to pass your lips that you are not certain is completely true.
13 Separation
Prishut
פְּרִישׁוּת
Strengthen yourself so that you can stop lewd thoughts. Draw close to your [spouse] only when your mind is free, [occupied only] by thoughts of fulfilling your conjugal duties and procreating.

The additional five middot in the Addendum to Rabbi Mendel of Satanov's Cheshbon ha-Nefesh.

14 Temperance
Histapkut
הִסְתַּפְּקוּת
Before taking food into your mouth, consider what benefit it has for your personal health or the fulfillment of a precept.
15 Deliberation
Mitenut
מְתִינוּת
Let your heart not be precipitate nor your mouth hasty. Rather, pause several times while speaking or acting so as to deliberate and calm yourself.
16 Modesty
Tzniut
צְנִיעוּת
Distance yourself from all that is ugly and unseemly, from lust and from anything which lead people to be suspicious of your, and you will find favor in the eyes of God and man.
17 Trust
Bitachon
בִּטָּחוּן
If worry comes to your hear, take it as a warning from God who loves you. Examine your deeds and take counsel with those whose advice you seek. When you have fulfilled His will, trust Him and your serenity will return.
18 Generosity
Nedivut
נְדִבוּת
Accustom yourself to finding satisfaction in acting kindly towards others and in seeing the meanness of being stingy.

There are also forty-eight middot outlined in Pirke Avot 6:6.


[1] Rabbi Mendel of Satanov. Cheshbon ha-Nefesh. (1812). Translated by Dovid Landesman. Feldheim Publishers, New York, 1995.

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