Modern Mussar Books

The modern era of Mussar literature  (ספרי מוסר מודרניים) began somewhere between the late 1940s and the 70s. The Mussar Masters from the old world were slowly taking their leave and it was up to a new generation to preserve their works and memories while at the same time finding their own Mussar paths...which brings us to the present, and to you. (This whole collection of 100+ Mussar books is also available as a PDF here.)

Musar Anthology

This Musar Anthology was compiled in 1972 by Hillel Goldberg, one of the foremost modern Mussar revivalists. This little 64-page magazine is a perfect snapshot of a new generation making Mussar their own, as pictured in this book review. Rare on Amazon but library copies can be found through Worldcat.

Building Jewish Ethical Character

Building Jewish Ethical Character was written by Dr. Joseph Kaminetsky and Rabbi Murray Friedman and published in 1975. It's rare on Amazon but can be found in libraries through Worldcat.

A Candle By Day

A Candle By Day: Three Thousand Topical Musar Modules is a collection of witty Mussar-toned proverbs. Written by Shraga Silverstein, it was originally published by Maznaim in 1981 (238 pages) and republished independently in 2013 (250 pages).

The Ethical Personality

The Ethical Personality was written by Zechariah Fender and published by Hashkafah in 1986. 332 pages. Get it here.

Gateway to Self-Knowledge

Gateway to Self-Knowledge was written by Zelig Pliskin and published by Aish HaTorah in 1986. 532 pages. Get it on Amazon or download the pdf. We almost included this book in the Top Ten for its 500 pages of middot-oriented questions for contemplation.

Mussar Passover Haggadah

The Mussar Pesach Haggadah - With Commentary Culled From Classic Baalei Mussar was compiled by Rabbi Shalom Wallach and published by Artscroll in 1989. 221 pages. Get it here.

Depth of Judgment

Depth of Judgment: A Guide to Self-Improvement from the Great Thinkers of Judaism was written by Rabbi Shalom Wallach and published by Artscroll in 1991. 176 pages. Get it here.

Illuminating The Generations

Illuminating The Generations: From the Middos of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs to the Musar Thinkers of our Time was written by Rabbi Hillel Goldberg as a sequel to The Fire Within and was published by Artscroll in 1992. 223 pages. Get it here.

Guide to Midoth Improvement

Guide to Midoth Improvement was written by Naftali Hoffner and published by Feldheim in 1995. 80 pages. Get it here.

Baal Midos on the Torah

Baal Midos or Masters of Character on the Torah was written by Byrech Lehrer and published by Kew Gardens in 1995. 96 pages. Find a library copy through WorldCat here and here.

The World Within

The World Within: Contemporary Mussar Essays was written by Rabbi Chaim Walkin and published by Targum in 2000. 297 pages. Get it here.

Musar for Moderns

Musar for Moderns was written by Elyakim Krumbain and published by Ktav in 2005. 147 pages. Get it here.

30 Days to Teshuvah: A Mussar Guide Based on Ohr Yisrael

30 Days to Teshuvah: A Mussar Guide Based on Ohr Yisrael is based on the writings of/about Rabbi Israel Salanter in Ohr Yisrael. Written by Rabbi Zvi Miller and published by Feldheim in 2005. 120 pages. Get it here. 

Bridging the Gap

Bridging the Gap was written by Avi Fertig and published by Feldheim in 2007. It's rare on Amazon but you can find a library copy through WorldCat. 535 pages.

Middos: Inspiration, Stories, Practical Advice

Middos: Inspiration, Stories, and Practical Advice Based on Tomer Devorah was written by Rebbetzin Sarah Feldbrand and published by Israel Bookshop in 2007. 312 pages. Get it here.

Living Mussar Every Day

Living Mussar Every Day: Putting the Power of Mussar into Your Life was written by Rabbi Zvi Miller and published by Targum in 2007. 410 pages. It's rare on Amazon so try finding a library copy through WorldCat.

Climbing Jacob's Ladder

Climbing Jacob's Ladder: One Man's Journey to Rediscover a Jewish Spiritual Tradition is the story of Alan Morinis and his own Mussar journey, published by Trumpeter in 2007. 240 pages. Get it here as hard copy or ebook. Be sure to see his two books on the Top Ten list also.

Every Day, Holy Day

Every Day, Holy Day: 365 Days of Teachings and Practices from the Jewish Tradition of Mussar was written by Alan Morinis and published by Trumpeter in 2010. 416 pages. Get it in paperback, ebook, or audiobook (3:56 hours.)

Building a Sanctuary in the Heart

Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh or Building a Sanctuary in the Heart: Manual for the Development of a Personal and Intimate Relationship with Hashem was written by Rabbi Isamar Schwartz in 2011. 

It's rare on Amazon but Parts 1 and 2 can be read and downloaded here and here. 

You can also download parts 3 to 7 along with other Mussar-rich works here.

A Responsible Life: The Spiritual Path of Mussar

A Responsible Life: The Spiritual Path of Mussar was written by Rabbi Ira Stone and published in 2013. 270 pages. This excellent book almost made it to the Top Ten! Get it in paperback or ebook.

Perfection: The Torah Ideal

Perfection: The Torah Ideal by Rabbi Dov Katz - the author of Tenuat Ha'Mussar, the authoritative five-volume history of the Mussar movement - came out in 2014 as a reprint of an earlier work. 152 pages. Get it here.

Mussar Yoga

Mussar Yoga was written by Edith Brotman and published by Jewish Lights in 2014. 224 pages. Get it in hardcover, paperback, or ebook.

The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions

The Spiritual Practice of Good Actions: Finding Balance Through the Soul Traits of Mussar was written by Greg Marcus and published by Llewellyn in 2016. 264 pages. Get it in paperback or ebook.

In Search of the Holy Life

In Search of the Holy Life: Rediscovering the Kabbalistic Roots of Mussar was written by Rabbi Ira Stone and Beulah Trey in 2019. 102 pages. Get it in paperback or ebook.

Olam HaMiddos

Olam HaMiddos or World of Character Qualities was written by Rabbi Moshe Don Kestenbaum and published by Artscroll in 2019. 324 pages. Get it here.

The Mussar Torah Commentary

The Mussar Torah Commentary: A Spiritual Path to Living a Meaningful and Ethical Life was edited by Rabbi Barry Block and introduced with a foreword by Alan Morinis. Published 2019, 402 pages. Get it in paperback or ebook.

Soul Construction: Shape Your Character

Soul Construction: Shape Your Character Using 8 Steps from the Timeless Jewish Practice of Mussar was written by Ruchi Koval and published in 2021. 185 pages. Get it in paperback, ebook, or audiobook (5:14 hours.)

Modern Musar: Contested Virtues

Modern Musar: Contested Virtues in Jewish Thought was written by Geoffrey D. Claussen and published by the Jewish Publication Society in 2022. 464 pages. Get it in paperback or ebook. 

This list is in process. Sign up to be notified by text/email when new books are added. 

And please tell us about any updates/corrections that could be made or new books that could be added. 

When you get yourself a Mussar book through this website we get a small percentage of your purchase so, thanks for getting yourself a book or two and showing support!