The Hidden Light
Diving into Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel's Mussar teachings, guiding students in applying his principles to their personal growth.
Level: Advanced |
Recommended Experience: Two Years of Mussar Studies |
Format: Online Live Class | 8 Sessions |
About this course: In this advanced course we will study, Ohr HaTzafun – The Hidden Light, the collected writings based on the talks and teachings of the Alter [Elder] of Slabodka, Rabbi Nosson Tzvi Finkel (1849-1927). The Alter of Slabodka is widely considered to be the most influential educator from within the Mussar movement initiated by Rabbi Yisrael Salanter in Lithuania in the middle of 19th century. The Alter’s unique and innovative approach stressed the individual inherent greatness of each student. With brilliant educational mastery, he helped his students to actualize their potential and become Torah leaders who went on to establish their own institutions and to impact the entire Jewish world.
The goal of the course is to understand and absorb the educational methodology and unique Mussar approach of the Alter and to apply this approach to our personal Mussar journeys. The specific text we will use includes both the original Hebrew and an original English translation by Avi Fertig and Alan Morinis and contains eight essential essays from among the many that are published in the Hebrew Ohr HaTzafun.
In Parts I and II of the course we will focus on the following topics:
- Three pillars of the Alter’s unique approach
- The reality of the spiritual
- The relationship between the material and the spiritual
- Discovering and nurturing one’s inner self
- A human being’s inherent greatness
- Actualizing potential
- Honor / Kavod
- Responsibility / Achrayut
- Being created B’Tzelem Elokim, in God’s Likeness
In Part IV we will study the essay called, “The Reason for Brachot,” which contains many Mussar foundations of the Alter’s unique approach.
Topics we will explore:
- The purpose of life
- The enemy of spiritual growth
- Foundations for serving God
- The source of pleasure and joy
- Enhancing and elevating pleasure and joy
- Hitbonenut, or introspective/meditative thought and focus
- Kavannah, or intentionality and heightened awareness
- The joy of Yirah
The course is designed so that advanced students can become skilled in studying traditional Mussar texts and will be inspired to apply these lessons in their lives and in the lives of others.
What Course Participants Say:
“It gives you a deep understanding of what Mussar is really about, now I really understand, what it means that Mussar is a spiritual practice”
- Thomas Scheck
“It is a very high level but amazing material and great teacher.”
- Jeffrey Agron
“The concept of b'tselem Elohim will open up Jewish ethics in a new and exciting way. I got so much out of this.”
- Naomi Marcus
“The teachings provided a wonderful framework and content for which to expand and draw upon in my Mussar practice.”
- Ephi Eyal
Course Structure:
8 sessions, each interactive session is 75 minutes and is recorded for those who cannot join live. We highly recommend that you also study these texts in chevruta (we will assist you with chevruta pairing upon request).
Course Materials:
Participants receive a free PDF copy of the book and will have the option of purchasing the book for approximately $20 (depending on the cost of shipping from Israel).
Links to sessions and recordings are emailed to participants and all lecture recordings and additional study materials are also accessible on our Makor learning platform.
Course Schedule:
Part IV -
Wednesdays, at 3:00 pm ET (1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26).
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Tuition:
- Tier 1 - $440 (per part)
- Tier 2 - $376 (per part)
- Tier 3 - $264 (per part)
Learn About Our Tier Pricing Here.
Chaverim members enjoy a 15% discount off of course pricing.
Members, please select the Chaverim rate of your choice on your registration form, membership will be verified before your enrollment is secured for the course.
We invite everyone to become a Chaver or Chavera - Join Here.
Teacher: Avi Fertig
Avi Fertig studied at the Yeshiva of Ner Yisrael, in Baltimore, before moving to Israel in 1997. While studying at the Mir Yeshivah of Jerusalem, he forged a close relationship with Rabbi Reuvain Leuchter, a foremost student of Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, a recognized master of Mussar. Since that time, he has been studying, writing, and teaching Mussar to thousands of students. He is the author of two books on Torah and Mussar. He lives in Beit Shemesh with his wife, Estie, their children and their grandson, Ariel.