BS”D 5 Iyar 5781 Today we continue with Mesillas Yesharim and we are on paragraph 8 of Chapter One, “Man’s Duty in the World.” R. Luzzatto states that the world was created to serve mankind. Yet, he observes, the world itself stands in the balance. If a person is drawn towards this world, forgetting about the world to come, and distances himself from his creator, then he will be corrupted and will corrupt the world with him. The author then says that, nonetheless, if man can rule over himself and use this world to serve the Creator, he will be elevated and the world will be elevated with him. This is described in some sciences as a feedback loop or a vicious circle. As an example, a parent who is…

BS”D 4 Iyar 5781 We continue looking at Rabbi Luzzatto’s text (Mesillas Yesharim, now at paragraph six in chapter one). Rabbi Luzzatto states that everything, for good or bad, is a test. If one finds oneself in a bad situation one can misuse the name of Hashem. If one finds oneself in a very good situation one can think one is satiated and does not need to follow the mitzvot. The author compares this to fighting a war on two fronts. It is true that someone in dire need may pray fervently or wonder why his prayers are not fulfilled and it is also true that, once one’s wishes are fulfilled, one may pray less fervently and forgive to give thanks for what one has. It is not easy to…

BS”D 3 Iyar 5781 Today we look at Mussar, specifically at Chapter One of Mesillas Yesharim. The author, R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, of blessed memory, begins by stating that the foundation of devotion is to clarify and verify one’s duty in the world and that one should make an effort to achieve that in all of one’s labours through one’s lifetime. It is important to note here that R. Luzzatto does not give an endpoint to this. One must strive to know better what is one’s duty in the world but not rest once enough is achieved. The search for one’s duty is constant and does not end. How does one know better and know one’s duty? By studying and learning. This, however, should not be limited to theoretical knowledge.…