More about Mussar

Yeshua How can our righteousness exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees? Learn how the principle of chasidut enables one to enter the kingdom.

Perseverance: Putting Suffering into Perspective

Continuing the Entrance to the Eternal Kingdom series, we learn the importance of perseverance for achieving the mission for which your soul was created.

The Battle Within

In this continuation of the Pitchei Olam series, we will discuss the meaning of "self-control." A battle rages within every person. Our enemy, the evil inclination, wants to strip us of the image of God and turn us into any other animal. Learn how to seize control of the battlefield within your own heart and achieve your purpose to establish God's kingdom on earth.

A Heart to Know

Along the path on our journey to the Kingdom, we must acquire knowledge. In this lesson we learn about the Jewish concept of knowledge, what it means to know God, and the steps involved in gaining knowledge.

Be Excellent

2 Peter 1:5 instructs us to add "virtue" or "excellence" to our faith. But what does that mean, exactly? Take a linguistic journey through the sources to find the Jewish heart at the core of this concept.

Open the Gates

The first commandment at Mount Sinai was "I am the LORD your God who took you out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery" (Exodus 20:2). Why did God introduce himself this way instead of as the God "who Created of the Universe"? In this lecture we will explore the meaning of implications of faith (emunah) as the foundation of our life's journey to the Kingdom.

Entrance to the Eternal Kingdom: 2 Peter 1:5-7 in its Jewish Context

Explore the process of spiritual self-improvement as outlined in 2 Peter 1:5-7, in light of Jewish thought. Learn how Jewish sources provide step-by-step outlines for personal growth, and delve into the importance of the pursuit of holiness and entrance to what Peter calls "the Eternal Kingdom."

Books mentioned:

A Sacrifice of Peace

Sometimes the sacrifice of peace is self-sacrifice. In 1 Clement 53-58, Clement urges the upstarts in Corinth to follow the examples of godly heroes of the past who did not hesitate to risk themselves and sacrifice their positions for the good of the community.

Stay on the Derek

It's not difficult to get back on the path. The hard thing is staying on the path. Here's some advice for making your resultions stick and winning the fight with yourself.

Steam from a Pot

Beginning with a lost saying of the Master, the Epistle of 1 Clement launches into a discourse on humility with examples from the lives of the great men of God. Hear Moses say, "I am only steam from a pot." Download a pdf of the original handout below.