Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar

Though the book makes the distinction as describing itself NOT as a "self help text", there are aspects of the text that remind me very much of self improvement books. However, I would agree that the essence of the book is more about spirituality than psychology. As a reader coming from the Christian tradition, I see many parallels with the writings of people like Father Richard Rohr. Father Rohr's consideration of spirituality as it relates to the 12 step program is similar, I think, to what Alan Morinis is doing in Everyday Holiness.This is no way denies the depth or intensity of the work that Morinis and Mussar is about. The 12 step program is replete with it's commentary, personal witness, slogans and steps. As with Mussar, this is not a "one and done" program. Our addiction to our own ego and the work required to overcome that addiction is a life long process. It is soul work. If you are looking to do that kind of work then Everyday Holiness will be of great benefit.

I realize this is a major movement in Jewish spirituality, and maybe I'm missing something, but I didn't find any insights that haven't been discussed and explained before. The emphasis on ethics doesn't seem to me to be any different from other works on Jewish prayer that are intended to lead to positive action. Almost any work dealing with teshuvah says basically the same thing as this book.

The book was listed as used but in good condition but if I did not know that it was used, I would have thought it was brand new. And prompt shipping as well.

This book is not a self-help book, nor is it a book on philosophy. It explains how ordinary people who hope to actually accomplish some of their worthy resolutions to improved actions might succeed at that. The path is neither easy nor short, but the day-to-day changes that can be accomplished are backed up with centuries of success, and each step forward is a step in the right direction. Year after year I have resolved that the next year I will become a better person, and I sincerely desired to do so. Yet my progress is so slow that I sometimes wonder if I have made any progress at all.In Everyday Holiness the branch is held back so I can see the path away from my wandering and really move forward in small practical daily steps. Now moving forward is up to me, and the time-efficient methods developed in the 19th century make this the 21st century person's optimal approach. I will use this book not just as a beginning, but will read sections of it over and over. I hope that one day my newly-autographed copy will look like the well-worn map at the end of a wonderful trip. My trip will be different than the trip you take with the same map, but I believe it's the right map for many worthy and individualized trips.

Everyday Holiness is arguably the most significant book on day-to-day living that I have ever read. In fact, I have read this book over a half dozen times and get something out of it with each new reading. I bought the CD to play during my commute as well. The simplicity of Morinis' language belies the depth of his understanding of Mussar practice. He transforms the classic Mussar into something that speaks to our own time and sensibility without losing the essence of what the personal balancing that Mussar offers. No soul trait is helpful in its extremes -- the most enriching choice is to find the middle path. Neither fanaticism nor apathy, neither austerity nor indulgence and on and on. I cannot endorse this book more highly. Read it. May you get as much out of it for yourselves as it has given me.

I did not know very much about Judaism much less Mussar when I selected this book, but I found it to be an excellent resource. It covers 18 traits and discusses how we need to grow or improve in each of them--such as equanimity, and charity. It proposes that we select 12 of them to work on for a year--giving each one a month's time. The method of self-improvement is well thought out. And it is evident that many people have worked on the descriptions of the optimum traits as they are so logical and well thought through. There are no absolute lines, careful thought is given to everything. I found it to be a great book for those who wish to improve themselves no matter which religion they prefer. These are not people who would support "Zero Tolerance" policies. They are much too nuanced in their thinking for that. I was most impressed by the careful logic and thought given to each quality.

Hard into to read, but when you get to the meat of what he is trying to say. Very insightful. Excellent for discussion and Rabbi-led insight group

This book contains essential inspiration and guidance on living a joyful, values-based, meaningful life of integrity and fulfillment. Morinis writes eloquently and thoughtfully, and in a way that makes centuries of Mussar-based wisdom accessible to the modern reader. I am so grateful to have found this book and I intend to buy some of his others as well.

The Musar (meaning teachings, ethics or instruction) is one of the more over shaddowed areas of the Jewish religion. Certainly I am much more familiar with Hasidic thought than I am with the insights of Musar. However there is much to admire in it. And for anyone interested this is a great place to start.The Book starts with an overview of the history of the Musar movement and its different schools of practice and thought. This section will be of interest to all but will be especially useful to any students writting papaers on this aspect of Judaism or this historical period and geographic location. However for me the real value of this book lies in its practical suggestions for applying the teachings of Musar in ones own life. These are straight forward and clearly written. I am not normally a fan of 'self-help books' and although this one does get dangerously close to becoming spritual self-help. It never has the tone of the less well written self-help books. I vaule this book highly and am very pleased that i brought it.

I've read this book umpty times and cherish it. This item was meant as a gift to a very dear friend of mine.

Everyday holiness is a daily lifelong practice that we introduce and grow within our individual life webs. What we knit is the ongoing and growing fabric of a mensch. Alan Morinis provides a foundation from which we can do our daily practice of becoming.Good read!

If you wish to read and seek for a better life, spiritually deep, self-awareness topics, this is the book. Be true to yourself.

As a Christian, the goal to "Be Holy As I am Holy" as been elusive to me. What does that mean? How do I work towards that end? This book is a masterpiece on instructing us how to do that. I say us, because my husband and I are using it as our morning devotional book. We are watching even our communication improve as we work through it - which is an added bonus. I have already ordered all the other books Alan Morinis has for sale on Amazon. I am getting answers to questions I have had since God found me 38 years ago!