Perfecting one's Middot: Difference between revisions

Perfecting one's Middot (view source)

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 # However, sometimes jealousy can be used for a positive goal such as for spiritual growth. <ref> Gemara says in Bava Batra 22a "kinat sofrim tarbeh chachma" - the envy of Torah scholars increases wisdom.<br />
 Sefer LiRayacha Kamocha pg. 159 points out that if one has spiritual envy of another because he is trying to outshine that person or in order to denigrate another, that would be in violation of the same jealousy as material jealousy. </ref>
+===Humility===
+# One should be exceedingly humble. <ref> Mishna in Pirkei Avot 4:4 </ref>
+How should one accustom onesself to humility? One should always speak gently, and have a bent comportment with a head looking down, with one's heart above. One should always view a person as more important than oneself. <ref> Kitzur S"A 29:3. For example:
+# If the other person is a greater Torah scholar, one must honor him.
+# If the other person is wealthy, one must honor him. </ref>.
+# For example, if one sees a rich person, when one sees his wealth, one must think that Hashem gave him wealth because he is fit for it [and able to dispense it well to [[charity]]]. <ref> Kitzur S"A 29:3</ref>.
+# If the other person is smaller than oneself in wisdom or wealth, one should view him as more righteous, because if he sins, he is considered Shogeig or forced, and if you sin, it is considered Intentional / Meizid. <ref>Kitzur S"A 29:3</ref>
 ==Ways to Perfect Character Traits==