What is a Mussar Vaad?

Mussar is the Torah of the heart. Or as I like to describe it, the study of the lessons of the Torah and how we can benefit from them in all our relationships, but especially... in our relationship with ourselves. Mussar is worked in a group setting that is non-invasive and non-confrontational. The group (which is called a vaad) meets weekly to discuss lessons of the Torah (Talmud, Pirkei Avos or Psalms) and then has a related exercise (called Avoda/work in Hebrew) to be practiced throughout the week. At the following meeting, the group discusses their experience from the Avoda and receives a new lesson. It is a simple process with powerful results.

A mussar vaad teaches widsom, righteousness and every precious and noble virtue. It is a process of character purification. It is based on the concepts of Rav Yisrael Salanter and his life's work to develop a process of teaching ethical living by strengthening one's character and behavioral traits.

Through the lessons and exercises, one begins a discovery process. As a result, a person can achieve inner peace. It is also a spiritual growth process in which by changing our actions, thoughts and speech brings us closer to G-d. The vaad provides a group setting in which we are able to grow spiritually and to realize that each one of us has the ability to become holy and pure. The conflicts that exist in our lives, our reactions to situations, our attitudes towards dealing with challenges and even in situations that do not have conflict but leave us with an uneasy feeling, are all events we experience throughout our day that disrupt our inner peace, our ability to feel happy and be holy.

The study of Mussar takes us on the journey to a distant place deep within us. A place we have dreamed of, yet rarely experienced. It teaches us how to conquer our negative traits and improve our positive ones, how to become a giving, loving person without resentments or hostility and it teaches us how to bring out the best in ourselves.

"Left to his own devices, man has an inescapable tendency to trap himself in a web of self-deception - each person according to his way."

May we break through our webs of self-deception with the daily study of Mussar so that we can practice calmness, compassion and sincerity which will lead us to experience greater happiness and live peacefully within ourselves.

Follow us on our journey, as we continue to post our Mussar experiences and progress.


Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Welcome to the first blog of our Mussar Vaad.
We are so excited with the results of our experiences (after just 3 weeks of participating in a vaad), we wanted to share it with everyone that is interested in learning more about Mussar, how to start a vaad in your community and how Mussar can improve the quality of your life.

I cannot begin talking about Mussar without expressing my deepest gratitude to Rabbi Zvi Miller for introducing me to the work of Rav Yisrael Salanter through his daily email, eMussar and to the Salant Foundation. It is a great honor for me to have become acquainted with Rabbi Miller and to learn how to start Living Mussar Every Day (this is also the name of another one of Rabbi Miller's books). I am so happy to become a part of the Mussar teachings and so grateful to Rabbi Miller for his passion to continue the work of Rav Salanter, so that those of us interested in learning and practicing it, can truly achieve inner peace and discover the beauty that is the essence of who we truly are.

The first group began meeting weekly to practice and learn about Mussar, based on the work of Rav Yisrael Salanter, as translated by Rabbi Zvi Miller in his book, Ohr Yisrael. His teachings reveal a complete system for spiritual growth and personal excellence. It is a detailed guide to understanding oneself. The concepts of Rav Yisrael challenge us to think deeper and to strive harder to master ourselves and overcome our lesser traits.

As Rabbi Miller states, "we sense , deep within ourselves, goodness and wisdom. Somewhere in the distant recesses of our psyche a precious diamond twinkles like a distant star. But, how to grasp these priceless gems is perhaps the most elusive secret of human existence, a mystery that resists even the most heroic and persistent advances. " Rav Yisrael Salanter illuminated the path for us. His wisdom teaches us how to change human nature and transform ourselves.

May we all discover the diamonds within ourselves through the study and daily practice of Mussar, through the work of Rav Yisrael Salanter and Rabbi Zvi Miller.

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