A Long-Form Intermediate Program

Messilat Yesharim is now retired from our regular course portfolio so that it can be more widely distributed to synagogues and other local organizations wishing to deliver more intermediate/advanced level Mussar content.

This program is for local Mussar groups ready to take their Mussar study to the next level, but who struggle with ancient, classical Mussar texts and wish they had guidance for making text study more relevant to modern life. In this program, the classical Mussar text, Messilat Yesharim / Path of The Just, written by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (Ramchal) and first published in Amsterdam in 1740, is the focus of this Mussar text exploration. When Reb Zundel of Salant (the rebbe of Rabbi Yisroel Salanter) asked his rebbe, Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin which Mussar text to study, Reb Chaim replied, “Every Mussar text is good to learn, but Messilat Yesharim should be your guide.” In this intermediate level program, participants will study the text line by line and in-depth from the original Hebrew and will cover the Ramchal’s introduction and first chapter of this most seminal work.

Guided by recorded teachings from TMI’s Rabbi Avi Fertig, and supplemented with local Mussar facilitators, will facilitate 13 va’ad meetings. Additional materials for paired chevruta study are also included. Participants must have their own text of Messilat Yesharim. This program does NOT follow any of the many English translations; Avi Fertig has translated the original Hebrew words according to his understanding.

From this program, we recommend Path of the Soul I-II by Alan Morinis, which takes participants through the entire Messilat Yesharim text.

We offer this program on a perpetual license with no per-participant fee. Purchase once and use as often as you wish. By purchasing the program materials, you agree not to re-sell or share to any individual or group outside of your congregation/organization, all materials are copyrighted by The Mussar Institute.

This program is available for purchase by TMI-trained facilitators offering this program through their synagogue, JCC, or their personal LLC. Ownership of the perpetual license can be the organization or the individual. Trained facilitators must agree with their organization about who will own the license before purchasing.

Organizations who make a purchase without already having a TMI-trained facilitator can hire one by requesting the list of available facilitators from TMI and must contract with a facilitator for hire before receiving the program materials. Such organizations must arrange all logistics and payments directly with the facilitator for hire. To request the list, please email info@mussarinstitute.org.

Once you register, you will have immediate access to all program materials. You can download materials to distribute, as well as share audio/visual content online.

License: Part I Only - $550; Part II Only - $550, Complete Program - $1,000 (discount applies only if purchasing the bundle, not by adding on later)