Mesillat Yesharim: The Path of the Upright

By Moshe Chayim Luzzatto

Book Overview

Thanks to this generous donor for making the publication of this book possible: The Lerman Family Foundation.

Connecting the wisdom of tradition with contemporary spirituality

Mesillat Yesharim is a classic of Jewish ethical literature. Written by one of the leading kabbalists of the late Middle Ages, it is also a window into the kabbalist's understanding of the connection between ethics and mystical vision. Luzzatto, one of the great Hebrew stylists of his time, is acknowledged by some as the first writer of modern Hebrew; thus Mesillat Yesharim is also important for its place in Hebrew literature.

This translation, published originally in 1936 by JPS, is a landmark in Jewish publishing. It made this Hebrew text finally available to English readers, and it gave us insights into the groundbreaking work that Kaplan did in orienting American Jews to the deep connection between ethical living and religious belief. It is no wonder that this book has become the centerpiece of the modern-day Mussar Movement, which inspires so many on their spiritual path.

Rabbi Ira Stone, consummate teacher and stirring speaker, is a major force in the resurgence of the Mussar Movement. In his introduction, he presents Luzzatto and Mesillat Yesharim in their historical context, and gives us new insights into Kaplan's emerging theology. Stone also explains the principles of reading that he uses in his commentary and teaching to make this medieval text so inspiring to readers today.

This volume contains the original Kaplan translation, as well as those sections of the text that Kaplan omitted, along with Stone's new commentary. The original Hebrew text is in the back of the book.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 082760856X
• ISBN13: 9780827608566
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Jewish Publication Society
• Length: 550 Pages
• Weight: 2.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 6.4" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Excellent study version

This is an excellent text for anyone who needs an English translation. The side-by-side layout helps you compare the English with the Hebrew. And of course, this classic is worth studying.

path of the just

this translation is really good. this book is a must have for begining the work of repentance and charictor refinement. this book should be on everyones shelf. it is a book that should be for our generation, for all who are returning to the Torah, and who need to know where to start. you definaly need this book.

One of the deepest seforim of all

This book is so deep in thought and so clearly written. It is one of the greatest of all books of Mussar. It tells us how to go in the path toward greater closeness to G-d. It is a work of strongest faith . I do not claim to understand it all but I do sense how it can bring each and every reader to greater sense of the awe and wonder of G-d. It is a must book for all those involved in Jewish learning. And I think that every Jew, religious or not should try to read this work. My sense is that many who begin as it were 'not- religious' may emerge from the reading with a different sense of the world entirely.

The Ultimate Guide to Spirituality

This the ultimate Guide to Spiritually, and although the English Title is Misleading, this is not a book for the faint hearted. It is customary among students to learn the first few chapters of the work by heart, and this is no small feat. Luzzato presents the guide to become a spiritually focused, complete and dedicated servant of G-d, in 24 steps. It is a magnum opus, and although the size is misleading, the information and guide is not. This book can make or break the reader, it is suggested that when studying this work, to at least have some guidance from a Local Orthodox Rabbi. The content of this monumental work describes in minute detail, how to grow spiritually. It allows one the potential to reach the greatest of heights, but to do so requires tremendous strength, energy and will power. This book was written in the 16th Century. The Vilna Gaon (the Talmudic Sage of the 17th Century) considers the first 8 chapters as completely Divinely Inspired where not a single word is wasted (refering to the Hebrew text). Feldheim have recently published a new translation of this work and is certainly helping thousands of people attain new understanding of this classic. The reader might wish to first read another of Feldheim classics: "Duties of the Heart" or "The Ways of the Tzaddikim" both excellent works, but act as introductions and guides to the "path of the just"

An ethical must read

The Ramchal establishes the definative "Mussar" (ethical exhortation) baseline for all time in this phenomenal piece. By establishing a ladder of ethical and behavioral levels on which we climb closer to the divine presence, Ramchal presents righteousness in a fashion which makes it both accessible and challenging to all people, regardless of their current environment. A must read for all serious seekers.