This page presents general Torah-related books as well as middot-related books. The middah-related books are in two lists: alphabetically and by middot. However, don't worry too much abour the format because once we have a great list of Torah-related books, this page will be re-designed to be easier to use. To add your book recommendation, go to the bottom of the page and add a comment with the book title, and how you find it useful.
Middot Books (alphabetical)
- 30 Days To Teshuvah - Rabbi Zvi Miller (based on teachings of R. Yisrael Salanter)
- Battle Plans: How To Fight The Yetzer Hara - Rebbetzin Heller and Sarah Rigler (great model for how to recognize when negative character traits are sparked and how to work against your Yetzer Hara at those times)
- Bridging The Gap - Avi Furtig (very powerful insights into Mussar philosophy and application - follows teachings of Reb Shlomo Wolbe z"l)
- Cheshbon Ha-Nefesh - Rabbi Levin of Satanov (process for 13 week daily practice)
- Chofetz Chaim Looks at: Middos, The Measure of Man, Bais Yechiel Publications
- Chovot HaLevavot - Duties of the Heart, Rabbi Bachya Ibn Pakuda, Feldheim (one of the classic Mussar books)
- Climbing Jacob's Ladder - Alan Morinis
- Everyday Holiness - Alan Morinis
- Faith and Trust - Chazon Ish (translated by Yaakov Goldstein)
- The Fire Within: The Living Heritage of the Mussar Movement
- (Artscroll/Mesorah Publications, Brooklyn,NY, 1987) - R. Hillel Goldberg (History of Mussar)
- The Gates of Repentence (Sha'arei Teshuvah) - Rabbeinu Yonah of Gerona
- Iggeres HaGra - The Vilna Gaon
- Iggeres HaRamban - A Letter For The Ages - Nachmanides
- Musar For Moderns - Rabbi Krumbein (advanced concepts in Mussar)
- Palm Tree of Devorah (Tomer Devorah) - Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (Kabbalistic Mussar text)
- Path of the Just (Mesilat Yesharim) - Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto (one of the classic Mussar books - also considered a classic Chassidic book)
- Rabbi Yisrael Lipkin Salant - Translated from German, written in 1899
- Rabbi Yisrael Salanter and the Mussar Movement - Immanuel Etkes (History of Mussar)
- Sichos Mussar, Chodesh Elul and Yomim Noraim, Rav Yechezkel Levinstein
- The Ways of The Tzaddikim (Orchot Tzaddikim) - Anonymous
Middot Books (By Middot)
Humility
- The Duties of the Heart, “The Gate of Humility”
- Orchot Tzaddikim, “The Gate of Humility”
- Reishit Chochmah, “The Gate of Humility”
- The Path of the Just, Chapters 22, 23
- Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, “Torah and Humility”
- Cheshbon HaNefesh, Humility chapter
- Shaarei Teshuvah, The Gates of Repetence, the 7th and 8th principles
- Musar for Moderns, Shiur 4 & 5
- The Palm Tree of Devorah (Tomer Devorah)
- Ohr Yisrael, Chapter 2, Letter 26
Patience
- Cheshbon HaNefesh, Patience chapter
Generosity
- Orchos Tzaddikim, “The Gate of Magnanimity,” “The Gate of Miserliness”
Strength
- The Path of the Just, Chapters 2-5 deal with Vigilence
- The Palm Tree of Devorah (Tomer Devorah), Chapter 6
- Ohr Yisrael, Letter 11
Trust
- The Duties of the Heart, “The Gate of Trust in God”
- Shaarei Teshuvah, The Gates of Repetence, in the 3rd Gate, XXXII
- Ohr Yisrael, Letter 24 on Faith
- Faith and Trust - Chazon Ish
Equanimity
- Orchos Tzaddikim, “The Gate of Joy,” “The Gate of Worry”
- Cheshbon HaNefesh, section on Equanimity, one of the Middot expounded upon Shaarei Teshuvah, The Gates of Repetence, Worry: the 5th principle discussed
Gratitude
- Shaarei Teshuvah (Gates of Repentence), In the Second Gate, IV
- Ohr Yisrael, Letter 25 Chovot Halevot (Duties of the Heart), translated by Feldman, page 68-70 on gratitude; or in the Haberman translation by Feldheim, pgs 161-165, in the Gate of Reflection (Sha'ar Beninah).
- The World Within by Rabbi Chaim Walkin, published by Feldheim, chapter 40, Gratitude
- Menoras Hamaor (The Light of Contentment) by Rabbeinu Yitzchak Abohav, translated by Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Reinman, on Jealousy (relates to gratitude)
Lovingkindness
- The Duties of the Heart, “The Gate of the Love of God” Orchos Tzaddikim, “The Gate of Love,” “The Gate of Hatred” The Palm Tree of Devorah (Tomer Devorah), Chapter 5 Shaarei Teshuvah, In the First Gate, the 17th principle