Building Better Character

by Yaffa Ganz

Reprinted with permission from “THE JEWISH FACT FINDER” Important Torah Facts and Handy Jewish Information. Feldheim Publishers.

Here are 13 character traits for a human being to focus on to better himself, as suggested by Rabbi Yisrael of Salant, the founder of a Jewish self-improvement program called the “Mussar movement.”

1) TRUTHFULNESS [EMET]
Be truthful in all you say.

2) QUICKNESS [ZERIZUT]
All that you have to do, do without wasting time.

3) DILIGENCE [CHARITZUT]
Do all that you are supposed to do conscientiously.

4) RESPECT [KAVOD]
Be extremely careful with the honor and feelings of others.

5) TRANQUILLITY [MENUCHA]
Do everything quietly, without undue confusion or excitement.

6) GENTLENESS [NACHAT]
The words of the wise are spoken softly and peacefully.

7) CLEANLINESS AND PURITY [NIKAYON]
Keep your body and your clothing clean and pure.

8) PATIENCE [SAVLANUT]
Whatever happens in life, be patient.

9) ORDER [SEDER]
Do everything in an orderly and disciplined way.

10) HUMILITY [ANAVA]
Recognize your own faults and weak points, but do not dwell on the faults and weak points of other people.

11) RIGHTEOUSNESS [TZEDEK]
What is hateful to you, do not do unto anyone else.

12) THRIFT [KIMUTZ]
Do not waste a single penny unnecessarily.

13) SILENCE [SH'TIKA]
Judge the value of your words before you speak.