Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar (Hardcover)

by Alan Morinis (Author)
Key Phrases: sustaining benevolence, spiritual curriculum, inner trait, Rabbi Dessler, Rabbi Salanter, Rabbi Luzzatto (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Morinis, director and founder of the Mussar Institute, summarizes the practice of Mussar "in the phrase tikkun ha'middot ha'nafesh—improving or remedying the traits of the soul"—while emphasizing that it is not self-help. Rather, "it means working on yourself, but not for the sake of yourself... but... to bring the soul to wholeness and holiness." Each of us is born with an inner soul that is irrevocably pure, but the outer layers constantly engage in the age-old struggle between good and evil. By determining our soul curriculum, or "issues that repeatedly challenge [us]," we can strengthen our souls and therefore every aspect of our lives. Specifically, he addresses 18 soul traits: humility, patience, gratitude, compassion, order, equanimity, honor, simplicity, enthusiasm, silence, generosity, truth, moderation, loving-kindness, responsibility, trust, faith and yirah (a combination of fear and awe, without a true English counterpart). In most cases the explanations are clear and delightfully illustrated with colorful Talmudic tales, though occasionally some traits, like moderation and generosity, seem at odds with each other. Early on, Morinis explains that a Mussar book should be read "slowly, in little segments, so the material can be thoroughly absorbed and digested." So, too, should readers of any religion take their time with this engaging tome of wisdom, lore and suggested practice. (May)
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Review
"You don't have to be Jewish to appreciate this way of refining and elevating your inner life and outward actions. . . . Everyday Holiness is an exceptional resource, illuminating how true spiritual transformation can take place in our lives one day at a time."—Spirituality and Health

"Clear and delightfully illustrated. . . . Readers of any religion [should] take their time with this engaging tome of wisdom, lore, and suggested practice."—Publishers Weekly

"This is a well-written guide to a spiritual practice that individuals who are beset by the travails of our modern world would find meaningful and compelling. . . . Morinis writes beautifully of his personal journey to Mussar."—The Jewish Book World

"Reading this book was an education and an inspiration for me. It is wise, written with beautiful clarity, and useful at every step."—Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul

“In a chaotic world awash in violence and immorality, it is a major challenge to live a meaningful, spiritual life. Reading this book and implementing its teachings will help readers to progress toward life goals that can deliver true happiness.”—Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, MD, author of The Spiritual Self



“The Mussar tradition offers a path of wisdom and authentic holiness that has stood the test of time. Alan Morinis has made a significant contribution in helping reveal Mussar’s transformative power.”—Larry Dossey, MD, author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Trumpeter (May 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590303687
• ISBN-13: 978-1590303689
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #247,661 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent presentation of Mussar..., May 23, 2007

By	J. C. Adams "jccath" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is an excellent presentation of Mussar, by one of today's premier Mussar teachers in the US/Canada. The author is not Orthodox, and doesn't pretend to be. His own Mussar teacher is Orthodox, and approved of this author's teaching of Mussar to the larger community of both Orthodox and other Jews as well as non-Jews. The material is easy to understand and easy to put into practice. The author teaches Mussar as it was meant to be practiced, with kindness as well as consciousness. If you are the least interested in Mussar, and not interested in a practice to beat yourself over the head with, this is the book you've been looking for. I bought copies for friends along with my own.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, clear introduction to modern Mussar, July 7, 2007

By	Ms. J. M. Lazarus (UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Mussar is a Jewish ethical practice that involves self-examination leading to self-improvement. The practice is positive in nature and outward focussed though it involves a certain amount of introspection as well.

Everyday Holiness is well laid out in three sections. Part one explains what Mussar is and gives something of its history. Part two describes eighteen middot (character traits) including how they impact on our lives and steps we might take to improve the balance of that particular quality in our personalities. Part three describes Mussar practice, including daily, weekly and annual activities.

I found the book wonderfully clear and relevant for today. It would be quite possible to launch into Mussar with just this book as a guide.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book about an obscure subject, July 14, 2008

By	Hank Hirsh "Hank Hirsh - Six Perfections Musi... (Portland, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

I had never heard of Mussar until recently. I am a Jew and have been practicing Buddhism for the last 25 years. Mussar ties Jewish thought, Talmudic and Biblical in origin, with concepts like generosity, loving-kindness and other principles that are common to Buddhism.
This book is outlined in a way that offers daily readings and you could just keep starting over each time you finish. I read from it after i finish my morning meditation session. This book has provided me with a spiritual part of Judaism that had been difficult to connect with prior to reading it.
I can't say that it has changed my life, but it has added to it something essential and beneficial for me and ultimately for all sentient beings. Thanks to Alan Morinis for writing it.
peace