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Perfecting one's Middot: Difference between revisions
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People are naturally very unique when it comes to their personality and character traits. Some people are constantly angry, while others are calm and don't get angry ever or rarely. Some people are arrogant, while others are humble. <ref>Kitzur S"A 29:1</ref> | People are naturally very unique when it comes to their personality and character traits. Some people are constantly angry, while others are calm and don't get angry ever or rarely. Some people are arrogant, while others are humble. <ref>Kitzur S"A 29:1</ref> | ||
==The proper balance of Middot== | ==The proper balance of Middot== | ||
# Not only does one have to do Teshuvah for sins that require an action, like theft but one also needs to avoid bad middot <ref> Rambam Hilchot Teshuva 7:3, Shulchan Aruch Hamiddot 1: page 177. see there for a discussion of the torah source for this obligation </ref> | |||
# The correct and straight way in regards to character traits is to follow the middle path. For example, a person shouldn't be too stingy or too generous in giving away of his money, rather one should give according to one's ability. <ref>Kitzur S"A 29:2, Shulchan Aruch Hamiddot volume 1: page 7</ref> | # The correct and straight way in regards to character traits is to follow the middle path. For example, a person shouldn't be too stingy or too generous in giving away of his money, rather one should give according to one's ability. <ref>Kitzur S"A 29:2, Shulchan Aruch Hamiddot volume 1: page 7</ref> | ||
# Similarly, a person shouldn't desire physical items other than what a person needs to live. Nor should a person work too much in his business rather one should work to have enough funds for his worldly needs. <ref>Kitzur S"A 29:2</ref> | # Similarly, a person shouldn't desire physical items other than what a person needs to live. Nor should a person work too much in his business rather one should work to have enough funds for his worldly needs. <ref>Kitzur S"A 29:2</ref> | ||
