American Mussar

21st century Jewish spiritual practice for an authentic and meaningful life

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Mussar Books

Mussar books are a great way to begin or expand your Mussar knowledge.

True, Mussar is a practice and as such how we behave is key. However, book learning is important in order to teach us the key concepts and behaviors we should focus on. Here are some of the key Mussar books to help you on your journey. Note: this is a page in progress. We’ll be adding images, links, and reviews over time.

Mussar books for beginners

These are great first Mussar books. They are also very good for ongoing Mussar practice.

Click on any book to go to Amazon.

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Mussar Books The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions: Finding Balance Through the Soul Traits of Mussar by Rabbi Dr. Greg Marcus, Llewellyn 2016. This book is the embodiment of American Mussar practice. Learn More

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Go to Audiobook on Spotify

mussar book everyday holiness Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar, Alan Morinis, Trumpeter Books, 2007.

 

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mussar torah commentary The Mussar Torah Commentary by Barry H Block (Editor), Alan Morinis (Foreword) Central Conference of American Rabbis 2019

 

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Modern Mussar books  for ongoing study

mussar books In Search of the Holy Life: Rediscovering the Kabbalistic Roots of Mussar 
by Ira Stone (Author), Beulah Trey (Author)Go to Amazon
mussar book ira stone A Responsible Life: The Spiritual Path of Musar, by Ira F. Stone, Aviv Press, 2006.

 

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every day holy day alan morinis Every Day, Holy Day: 365 Days of Teachings and Practices from the Jewish Tradition of Musar, by Alan Morinis, Trumpeter Books, 2010.

 

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this is real alan Lew

This Is Real and You Are Completely Unprepared: The Days of Awe as a Journey of Transformation by Rabbi Alan Lew,  Little, Brown, 2003.

 

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with heart in mind alan morinis

With Heart in Mind: Mussar Teachings to Transform Your Life by Alan Morinis, Trumpeter, 2014.

 

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Specialized Modern Mussar Books

Mussar book david jaffe Changing the World from the Inside Out: A Jewish Approach to Personal and Social Change, Rabbi David Jaffe, Trumpeter Books, 2016.

 

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Mussar Yoga: Blending an Ancient Jewish Spiritual Practice with Yoga to Transform Body and Soul, Edith Brotman, Jewish Lights, 2014.

 

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mussar books Modern Musar: Contested Virtues in Jewish Thought (JPS Anthologies of Jewish Thought) by Geoffrey D. Claussen

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mussar books Sharing the Burden: Rabbi Simhah Zissel Ziv and the Path of Musar by Geoffrey D. Claussen 

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Classic Mussar Books

mussar books Duties of the Heart (Chovot HaLevavot) by Rabbi Bahya ibn Paquda (11th century) Translated by Daniel Haberman

2 Volume Boxed Set in Hebrew and English

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mussar books Path of the Just (Mesillat Yesharim) by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto translated by Yosef Liebler.
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mussar books Mesillat Yesharim: The Path of the Upright by Moses Hayyim Luzzatto (Author), Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan (Translator), Ira F. Stone (Introduction and commentary).
This is a different translation of the above book. I like the Liebler translation better, but Ira Stone’s commentary is out of this world.Go to Amazon
mussar books The Ways of the Righteous (Orchot Tzaddikim), by an anonymous (probably female) author

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Mussar books
Version 1.0.0
The 8 Chapters of the Rambam by Yaakov Feldman

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mussar books The Palm Tree of Deborah (Tomer Devorah) by Rabbi Moses ben Jacob Cordovero. Translated by Moshe Miller. 

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mussar books Accounting of the Soul (Cheshbon HaNefesh) by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lefin of Satanov

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mussar books Pele Yoetz by Rabbi Eliezer Papo  

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mussar books Strive for Truth by Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler

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Not Mussar Books Per Se, but Key Books for Jewish Wisdom

Sage Advice: Pirkei Avot with translation and commentary by Irving (Yitz) Greenberg. Koren Publishers 2016

Rebbe: The Life and Teachings of Menachem M. Schneerson, the Most Influential Rabbi in Modern History by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. Harper Wave 2014. Read a review here.

Note that American Mussar may receive a small commission for books purchased on Amazon using these links.

Comments

  1. I started reading the spiritual practice of good actions. However in chapter 1 I got completely turned off because there is no adequate explanation for what the soul is. Could you please provide me with a resource or better yet a definition. Tha says

    November 23, 2019 at 12:38 pm

    I started reading the spiritual practice of good actions. However in chapter 1 I got completely turned off because there is no adequate explanation for what the soul is. Could you please provide me with a resource or better yet a definition. Thank you so much

    Reply
    • Greg Marcus says

      November 23, 2019 at 5:08 pm

      Hi – I wish I could. People have been trying to figure out what the soul is for thousands of years. I would step back from trying for an intellectual understanding. It is a heart-space concept, not something the intellect can fully grasp.

      Just remember this. You don’t have a soul. You are a soul.

      The way the book is structured, these concepts are gradually introduced and revisited, so I would try reading on.

      Reply
      • Lason says

        October 28, 2024 at 6:22 am

        🏌🏼”You don’t have a soul, you are a soul”

        Reply
  2. Frank Schwartz says

    May 21, 2020 at 4:15 pm

    Hello Greg, We appreciate the weekly zoom teaching. Where can I send a check to American Mussar?

    Reply
  3. Gary Shapiro says

    September 3, 2020 at 8:12 pm

    Greg,
    Just started reading The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions. Got to the section on generating a soul profile diagram and came here. When I click the take test link, nothing happens. Web site glitch?

    Reply
  4. Elizabeth Czhubirka Percival says

    October 1, 2020 at 11:08 am

    I have been attempting to take The Soul Quiz for the past several days. No matter which of the ‘Click Here’ buttons I click nothing happens.
    Please advise.
    Thank you,
    Elizabeth

    Reply
  5. M M Milch b.tl. says

    January 25, 2022 at 7:41 am

    In an interview with TV News reporters about the killings / massacre that occurred only about 2 miles from my home ,on Shabbat Oct 27th , 20018 ,I used a term of reflection –or cheshbon ha nefesh . As a scholar etc in this lit. , was I on target or off for usinng any hashkafah wording about such a terrible massacre —?

    Reply
    • Greg Marcus says

      January 25, 2022 at 9:00 am

      Hi – thanks for your question. Cheshbon ha’nefesh is best translated as accounting of the soul, a deep reflective practice often connected with Tishuva, or personal transformation. I’m afraid I don’t know about the context of how you used it to comment.
      Greg

      Reply

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