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segunda-feira, 4 de agosto de 2025

SF - From Mind to Heart: #The Journey of Mussar

The Ramchal, in his classic work The Path of the Just, teaches that Mussar is the study of “universally accepted truths.” But this raises a question: Why must we study ideas that are already common knowledge?


The Ramchal answers this paradox with a striking insight: “To the extent that these truths are self-evident, that is the very measure by which people tend to lack conscious awareness of them.” In other words, the more obvious an idea seems, the more likely it is to be taken for granted—and neglected in practice.


Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, the founder of the Mussar movement, gave this paradox a memorable formulation: “The greatest distance in the world is the distance between the mind and the heart.” A person can know a moral or spiritual truth intellectually, yet remain unaffected by it emotionally and behaviorally. Mussar is the tool that bridges that gap. It penetrates the sealed chambers of the heart and engrains those lofty ideals into our lived reality.


Take, for example, the verse in Devarim (4:39):

“And you shall know today and instill in your heart that HaShem is G-d, in the heavens above and on the earth below—there is none else.”

This verse teaches that knowing HaShem—His Oneness, His Providence, His Compassion—is not merely an intellectual exercise. It's an ongoing spiritual labor: “Instill it in your heart.” To know about G-d is only the beginning; to truly know G-d requires internalization.


Mussar provides a structured methodology to embed this awareness into our inner world. It nurtures faith and transforms abstract knowledge into living conviction.


Intellectual knowledge can be acquired in an instant—once you understand the idea, it’s yours. But knowledge of the heart is different. It develops slowly, through repetition, reflection, and persistence. Each time we study Mussar, even briefly, it leaves a subtle yet lasting impression. Over time, those impressions build upon one another and ultimately give birth to a clear, vibrant awareness of HaShem’s presence.


Today’s Mussar Practice:

Set aside 30 seconds to reflect—quietly and sincerely—on this truth:

“HaShem is my Creator.”

Let this awareness begin to move from your mind… to your heart.





















































May the souls who left this world be remembered for a blessing.

R' Yochanon Mordecai ben Ephraim and Moras Esther Leah bas Yehudah Yoseph

HaRav HaGaon Rebe Mordecai ben Rav Moshe and Rebbitzen Mazel Malka bas Sara

Meira Leah bas Michael

Basha Elka bas Moshe HaCohen

Devorah bas Moshe

HaRav HaGaon Rebe Yisrael ben HaRav HaGaon Zev Wolf

HaRav HaGaon Rebe Moshe ben HaRav HaGaon Yacov

Moshe Fisher

HaRav HaGaon Daniel Zvi ben Avraham Chanuch

HaRav HaGaon BZF

HaRav HaGoan Yaacov Yitzchak

HaRav HaGaon Gershon Chaim

R' Maair Ben R' Yakutiel and Javayeer z"tl




Refuah Shleimah

Yochanon Baruch ben Fruma Ettta

Zivia bas Raizel

Tzvi ben Chana

Avner Shimon ben Argamon

Leah Hadassah bas Michal Chana

Chava Bas Michal Chanah

Nuna bas Nuna

Yakir Efraim Ben Rachel Devora

Chaya Leah bas Sara

Chaya Shaina Chana Bas Itcha

Netanel Ilan ben Shayna Tzipora

Shmuel Ben Navat

Chanah Tauba bat Tzilah.

Daniella bat Sarah

Rise bat Faiga




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