<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Feb 1, 2008 12:31 PM, <<a href="mailto:cantorwolberg@cox.net">cantorwolberg@cox.net</a>> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
R' David Riceman:<br>A friend from Jerusalem stopped by last week, and we chatted for a few<br>hours.? One of his remarks struck me as worth repeating here.? He told<br>me that when he reads mussar sefarim he gets the impression of small<br>
mindedness; the concerns are very petty.? Whereas when he reads Rabbi<br>Kook "ze mamash marhiv et hada'at."<br>Any comments (I'll reserve my own)?<br><br></blockquote></div><br>Different Strokes for Different folks! <br>
A friend of Mine in yeshivas Ner Israel was recommended to read Tehillim. It upset him greatly. Therre are times in my life I found Tehiloim a bit boring to be honest. yet during that same era of my life I found Mishle very fascinating and downright calming. It was like having a wise old master sitting next to me and guiding me.. <br>
<br>To me Mesillas Yesharim is a "handbook on how to become a Gadol."
Since I have given up upon being a Gdaol a long time ago, I'm not sure
how much that Sefer would help me now.OTOH I would give it to ny yong
illuy with potentiall<br><br>I have generally liked Orchos Tzaddikkim but I must confes the last time I went though it I found his advice trivial. I guess my life has gotten a bit too complicated or sophisticated for that sefer to do me good. Maybe I need to impmlify but fright now the Sefer did not click <br>
<br>I tried to get into Hovos Halevavos but - as a friend of mine had warned me - I found it way too Medieval. I found a lot of imagery about kings etc. just disconnect to our American way of life.<br><br>One of the Best Machshava books for me has been Sefer Hachinuch. I really feel he presents Torah as document of true compassion and Kedusha {mamleches kohahim v'goy Kadosh mixed with ahavas habriyyos] I also lke the Hinuch Hamekutzar nad the Chofetz Chaim's Sefear Hamtizvos Hakatzar for a quick dose of Halachas?Machshava.<br>
<br><br>I found Shemoneh Perkaim very good. I wish I had done it at a yonger ago a long time ago. Most of Rambam on Teshuva/Deios is excellent - Also the Masechtos Ketannos of Avos Derabbi Nosson and Derech ERetz are very good, too<br>
<br>I am also doing Chofetz Chayyim Yomi [Halacha] as well as Shemira Halashon Yomi [Mussar] I cannot think of a better Sefer on Ahavas Yisrole than the Shmiras Halshon. And since I am upset at times by the bitter diviseness between Jewish factions, I find Shemiras Halashon really speaking to me very loudly and clearly. everyone should go through one cycle at least once in their life.<br>
<br>Mussar Sefarim are like Medicines, You need to take the right dose of the right sefer at the right time etc. B"H there is an entire apothecary filled with many choices.<br> <br><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Kol Tuv / Best Regards,<br>
<a href="mailto:RabbiRichWolpoe@Gmail.com">RabbiRichWolpoe@Gmail.com</a><br>see: <a href="http://nishmablog.blogspot.com/">http://nishmablog.blogspot.com/</a>