A glowing treasure now available to the English-speaking public! The trail-blazing work of Rav Yisrael Salanter, and his disciple, Rav Yitzchak Blazer illuminate the darkness of our generation with wisdom and insight. This classic Mussar work focuses on attaining closeness with G-d and on ethical introspection. This volume is a compendium of four classics of ethical thought: The Gates of Light, The Light of Israel, Paths of Light, and Stars of Light. This extraordinary book, translated into lucid, flowing English, will enable all who read it to reach a new spiritual dimension. Contains English text only.

Israel Salanter was one of the most original and influential Jewish leaders and thinkers of Eastern European Jewry in the modern period. One of Salanter’s most striking innovations was the transformation of the issue of ethics from the domain of theology to the realm of psychology. Immanuel Etkes traces Salanter’s unique view of Mussar doctrine, especially his introduction of modern psychology to the traditional understanding of personal ethical development.

In his own personal weight-loss struggle, David Zulberg turned to the forgotten wisdom of Maimonides, a medieval Jewish expert on philosophical subjects, to find consensus on ideal nutrition and optimum physical and emotional health. After 10 years of studying volume upon volume, Zulberg was able to distill the teachings of the bible and humanity's greatest doctors, and he discovered something amazing--ancient doctors already knew what today's medical findings are rediscovering about what's best for human health, weight loss, disease prevention, and psychological well-being. The 5 Skinny Habits explains the ancient understanding of health and its application to our lives in the 21st century and its supersize proportions. Zulberg refers to legendary thinkers as Master Physicians and, through a close study of Maimonides, integrates the spiritual, emotional, and physical components of health and weight loss. With an easy five-step plan, Zulberg tells readers how to incorporate one habit each week for 5 weeks to achieve a healthier lifestyle. His five steps streamline and simplify the process of becoming fit, ensuring that change is made for good. As readers are gradually led through the plan, they become more accustomed to living as prescribed by the ancient health experts. A simple diet diary with positive affirmations makes self-monitoring an effective and enjoyable part of the discovery. By the end of the journey, readers have incorporated the habits into their routines so completely that they are no longer "dieting" but simply living a healthier life.

Mussar is an illuminating, approachable, and highly practical set of teachings for cultivating personal growth and spiritual realization in the midst of day-to-day life. Here is an accessible and inspiring introduction to this Jewish spiritual path, which until lately has been best known in the world of Orthodox Judaism. The core teaching of Mussar is that our deepest essence is inherently pure and holy, but this inner radiance is obscured by extremes of emotion, desire, and bad habits. Our work in life is to uncover the brilliant light of the soul. The Mussar masters developed transformative teachings and practices—some of which are contemplative, some of which focus on how we relate to others in daily life—to help us to heal and refine ourselves.

World renowned historian and lecturer, Rabbi Berel Wein, paints a panoramic picture of our people in the modern era, from the Cossack pogroms to the rise of the Chassidic movement, from the Vilna Gaon to the rebirth of Torah in America.