Source · Mussar · תשפ״ו
Mesillat Yesharim
R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto's systematic ladder of spiritual development. Taught across Chassidic, Litvish, Sephardic, and Modern Orthodox communities as the foundational modern mussar text.
Open Mesillat Yesharim on Sefaria ↗
Where to begin
- Mesilat Yesharim, Introduction ↗The Ramchal's opening: why this work exists.
- Mesilat Yesharim 1 ↗Of Man's Duty in His World — the first rung of the ladder.
- Mesilat Yesharim 22 ↗On humility (anavah) — the long arc of the work.
Source links open at sefaria.org. The text lives there; Ryzowy only orients you toward it.
Questions to bring a rabbi about this text
- Should I read Mesillat Yesharim straight through, or chapter by chapter slowly?
- Which chapter is appropriate for me to begin with at my present stage?
- Should I read it alone or with a chavruta?
Return to the first shelf → or read alongside the Return Path → and questions for a rabbi →.