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Perfecting one's Middot: Difference between revisions
From Halachipedia
→Examples of Middot
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# A person shouldn't laugh excessively [in empty matters], nor be sad; rather, one should be happy all one's days, with a good expression on one's face. <ref> KSA 29:2 </ref>. | # A person shouldn't laugh excessively [in empty matters], nor be sad; rather, one should be happy all one's days, with a good expression on one's face. <ref> KSA 29:2 </ref>. | ||
# Jealousy, Desire, and Pursuit of Honor remove a person from the world <ref> Pirkei Avot 4:28 </ref>. Nonetheless, one shouldn't separate from them excessively, saying "I won't eat meat, drink wine, marry a wife, live in a nice house, or wear nice clothing; instead, I will wear a sack [of [[mourning]]]". This is also an evil path, and one is forbidden to walk on it. One is called a sinner if one does; even a Nazir is called a sinner for refraining from wine. The Torah has already forbidden enough, that we should add on more prohibitions. One shouldn't add on fasts unnecessarily. <ref> KSA 29:6. However, a Rebbe said at a Sichas Mussar: modern society often confuses what actually is a necessity, and what actually is a luxury </ref>. | # Jealousy, Desire, and Pursuit of Honor remove a person from the world <ref> Pirkei Avot 4:28 </ref>. Nonetheless, one shouldn't separate from them excessively, saying "I won't eat meat, drink wine, marry a wife, live in a nice house, or wear nice clothing; instead, I will wear a sack [of [[mourning]]]". This is also an evil path, and one is forbidden to walk on it. One is called a sinner if one does; even a Nazir is called a sinner for refraining from wine. The Torah has already forbidden enough, that we should add on more prohibitions. One shouldn't add on fasts unnecessarily. <ref> KSA 29:6. However, a Rebbe said at a Sichas Mussar: modern society often confuses what actually is a necessity, and what actually is a luxury </ref>. | ||
# One should be content with one's lot <ref> KSA 29:6 </ref>. | # One should be content with one's lot <ref> KSA 29:6 </ref>. | ||
# One should be as bold as a lion, light as an eagle, as fast as a deer and as strong as a lion, to do the will of your Father in heaven <ref> Pirkei Avos 5:23 </ref>. | |||
==Ways to Perfect Character Traits== | ==Ways to Perfect Character Traits== | ||
