A Mussar Lesson
A yeshiva bachur once turned to me in consternation. “Rabbi David,” he began, “why is it that I feel something is missing in my faith in Hashem? I sit all day long learning Torah, but I cannot learn with peace of mind when my mind is constantly occupied with this thought.”
I turned the tables, asking him what he felt was the reason for this condition. He thought for a few moments and then replied the following: He thought his lack of emunah stemmed from the fact that the rabbanim of the yeshiva do not give their students enough mussar.
His sincere words struck home. I now understood the words of our Sages in a new light. The Mishnah (Avot 3:17) states, “If there is no worldly occupation, there is no Torah.” The term “worldly occupation,” or derech eretz, refers to the study of mussar, or ethics, whereas “Torah” refers to faith and mitzvah observance.
Through mussar, one learns how to approach mitzvot with the proper attitude, with fear and love of Hashem.
