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.
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