Post by Admin on Jul 18, 2016 10:38:23 GMT
Temple Emanu-El Lifelong Learning Program – Summer 2016
Neusner, Jacob. Understanding Jewish Theology
Ch.11 – Steps towards perfection from “The Path of the Just”
Neusner, Jacob. Understanding Jewish Theology
Ch.11 – Steps towards perfection from “The Path of the Just”
Per Class Request, Several of you asked to see a summary of the steps to perfect “imitation of God” outlined by the Ramchal (Moses Chaim Luzzatto).
The Mesillas Yesharim Message
Rebbi Pinchas ben Yair would teach:
Torah leads to Caution – to watch over our actions and habits to determine whether they are good, so as not to abandon our souls to the danger of destruction, chas v'shalom
Caution leads to Enthusiasm – alacrity in the pursuit and fulfillment of mitzvos
Enthusiasm leads to Being Clean – of bad attribute and sins
Being Clean leads to Separation – to withdraw from anything that might result in evil, even though it is not evil in itself
Separation leads to Purity – to act not for the sake of our enjoyment and pleasure, but for the goodness, the wisdom and service that may result from our actions
Purity leads to Chassidus – toiling to please Hashem in every way possible, as a child who desires to please a parent
Chassidus leads to Humility – not attaching importance to ourselves for any reason whatsoever
Humility leads to Fear of Sin – constantly fearing that some trace of sin may enter our actions
Fear of Sin leads to Holiness – clinging so closely to Hashem that even the physical objects we use become elevated through using them
Holiness leads to Divine inspiration and Divine inspiration leads to Techias Hameisim, the resurrection of the dead.
(To listen to audio classes of Mesillas Yesharim, click here)
SOURCE: www.shemayisrael.co.il/publicat/schwartz/mp3files2/Mesilas-Yesharim-Summary.html