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Perfecting one's Middot: Difference between revisions
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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 /> | # 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> | 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> | ||
# see further [[Lo Tachmod]] | |||
===Humility=== | ===Humility=== | ||
# Humility is the finest of all of the good character traits.<Ref>Ramban in Iggeret HaRamban</ref> Therefore, one should be exceedingly humble. <ref> Mishna in Pirkei Avot 4:4, Rambam (Deot 2:3) </ref> How should one accustom oneself 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 Shulchan Aruch 29:3. For example: | # Humility is the finest of all of the good character traits.<Ref>Ramban in Iggeret HaRamban</ref> Therefore, one should be exceedingly humble. <ref> Mishna in Pirkei Avot 4:4, Rambam (Deot 2:3) </ref> How should one accustom oneself 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 Shulchan Aruch 29:3. For example: | ||
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# 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 Shulchan Aruch 29:3</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 Shulchan Aruch 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 Shulchan Aruch 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 Shulchan Aruch 29:3</ref> | ||
===Arrogance=== | |||
# It is forbidden to have any arrogance.<ref>Smag Lavin 64 based on Devarim 8:11 counts having arrogance as one of the 613 mitzvot.</ref> | |||
# Even though it is forbidden to advertise or flaunt that one did a certain mitzvah,<ref>Panim Yafot Beresheet 42:18 based on Mishlei 6:8</ref> it is permitted to flaunt or speak about one's [[Yirat Hashem]] or [[Emunah]].<ref>Panim Yafot Beresheet 42:18 citing Chazal. His proofs are Beresheet 42:18, Targum Unkeles Bersheet 50:19, Avot 1:3, Sotah 5a, and Shemot 14:31. In his introduction to Hamikneh n. 18 he proves it from Yirmiyahu 9:23.</reF> | |||
# One shouldn't flaunt one's good qualities even to advertise.<ref>Mishlei 27:2, Orchot Tzadim Gavah s.v. Gaut Chachma</ref> See [[Halachos of Interviews]]. | |||
==Ways to Perfect Character Traits== | ==Ways to Perfect Character Traits== | ||
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==Consequences of Bad Middot== | ==Consequences of Bad Middot== | ||
See [[Perfecting one's Middot]] | |||
# Four groups of people don't receive the Divine Presence: -Scoffers -Flatterers -Liars -Speakers of [[Lashon Hara]] <ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 30:6 </ref>. | # Four groups of people don't receive the Divine Presence: -Scoffers -Flatterers -Liars -Speakers of [[Lashon Hara]] <ref> Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 30:6 </ref>. | ||
