THE STRAIGHT PATH is to generally follow the middle path of character traits, with each
and every aspect-quality of personality that mankind has. This concerns following after those character
traits which are equally distant from the extremes of character traits, not being close to either side of the extremes.
For this reason the Wise men of Israel of old ordered that people should continuously look over and examine their character traits, and calculate their
temperaments, in order to guide their character traits
and temperaments toward the direction of the middle path,
so that the people will be wholesome/serene with wellbeing in their bodies.........
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...to be continued...
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Whoever is a person that is very careful with himself, and distances particular character traits which he
possesses just a little from the middle path, slightly closer to one of the extremes of a particular character trait, is called
devout.
What does this mean? Someone that distances his personality from the the pride of his heart
until this character trait turns more toward the other direction - toward great humility, such a person is called
devout. This is the character trait of devotion [piety].
And if someone distances himself from pride until he is in the middle point of this trait, neither overly
proud or overly lowly and debased, but rather in the middle point between these two extremes - at the quality of humility,
such a person is called wise; And this is the character trait of wisdom.
This method of adjusting our character traits concerns all temperaments and qualities of personality.
..................
...to be continued...
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We [the people of Israel, the Jewish people] are commanded to walk in these middle paths of character
traits. And these are the good and straight paths about which it is said [in Deuteronomy 28:9], "And you shall walk
in His paths (ways)."
In this manner [the ancient Wise men of Israel] taught the explanation of this commandment:
(See bottom for further explanation of this section)
The same way He is called "Gracious," you as well must be gracious.
The same way He is called "Compassionate," you as well must be compassionate.
The same way He is called "Holy," you as well must be holy;
In this way the prophets called G-d all the different titles such as 'Slow to anger,' 'Great in devoted-kindness,'
'Righteous and Upright,' 'Perfect,' 'Heroic and Powerful,' and the rest that come with these.
One should know that these are the good and upright paths; A person is obligated to habituate himself in
these paths so as to resemble these [paths] of His, according to the person's ability and strength.
How does one make himself regular in these temperaments to the point that these temperaments become firmly
established in him?
He should act, and act a second and third time, with actions which express these [proper] character
traits and temperaments of the middle path; He should do this continuously
until these actions [which reflect the desired personality traits], become easy for him to do - until they are no longer
difficult on him to perform. At this point such temperaments will become firmly established in the personality of his
soul.
Because these terms are called to the Creator, and these are the middle paths in which we are obligated
to walk, therefore this path is called the 'Path of HASHEM' [The Path of G-d].
And this is that path which Abraham, our father, taught to his sons, as it is said [in Genesis 18:19], "for
I have known him for the sake that he will command his descendants and his household after him to keep the way of
the L-RD, by doing righteousness and justice.."
The one who walks in this path brings goodness and blessing upon himself, as it is said [in Genesis 18:19],
"in order that the L-RD will bring upon Abraham that which He has spoken concerning him."
[The above is taken from chapter 1 of Hilkhoth De'oth of the Mishneh Torah, compiled from the Talmudic
writings by RAMBAM (Rav Mosha ben Maimon)]
Concerning the section in this page which speaks of the Creator as being called 'Gracious, Compassionate,
Holy, etc...' ONE MUST UNDERSTAND that these terms and ALL terms applied to the Creator are terms which
are named after His ACTIONS in this world, in creation. The many different names or titles of the Creator do
not reflect many different essential 'internal' aspects or attributes of the Creator. There is no plurality
with the Almighty Creator whatsoever. We refer to the Creator with these terms simply because we have no other
way in which to refer to Him. For this reason we refer to Him according to the revelation of His Will in His mighty
acts which we perceive in creation. We see that the Almighty gives life and redeems; therefore we call Him Compassionate.
We see that the Creator pours out judgment on man
when man lives in wickedness; therefore we call the Creator 'Righteous and Just.' We know that the Almighty created
all things that we perceive; therefore we call Him 'Creator.' We see that there is nothing more mighty than He, and
that there is no end to His might, therefore we call Him 'Almighty;' etc... It is against the path
of Abraham to believe that all these terms refer to plural aspects which exist within the Creator, for this would mean that
we are able to take on aspects of His Divinity whenever we live our lives according to graciousness, and compassion,
in addition to implying that the Almighty exists within time/space and can change. Why this latter comment? Since
divisions, distinctions, and change only exist within time and space, then if there were to be distinctions of plural
attributes WITHIN the existence of the Creator, this would mean He exists under time and space. If He exists under time
and space then it is impossible that He created time and space. If He did not create time and space then what did?
If He exists contained in time and space, then He Himself requires a creator, heaven forbid! Rather, this realization,
that the All-powerful Creator exists above all created things, and that this Creator created time and space and all other
things, which means that He has no divisions or distinctions within Himself whatsoever, and that He is One unlike any unity
in creation, and He does not change [for change only occurs in time/space], --- THIS is The Foundation of the Path of Abraham and the 7 commandments which he faithfully kept. For how can one keep the first and most essential of the 7 commandments, against
participating in the worship of created things, if the same person doesn't even recognize the essential difference
between creation and the Creator? For a 'creator' which is subject to time/space, and which has divisions and parts,
and can change, is not the Creator at all. Anyone who thinks the Creator exists under time/space, has parts and can
change, has not yet perceived the essential distinction between the Creator and His creation. Therefore, this
truth is very worthy of deep thought and study, that one who is not yet sure about the Sublime Unity of the Creator may find
rest in His immutability. All plurality which we perceive in relation to the Creator exists ONLY in our own perception of Him through
His many (plural) works within creation. The plurality of His many majestic works exists within creation, and not within
Himself - Who exists above all concepts of spatiality or time.
Blessed is He Who is exalted above all existences, and above all our misconception!
"What place could be My resting place?" (Isaiah
66:1)
Really, would G-d dwell on earth with man? Behold, the heavens and the
heaven of heavens can not contain You; (II Chronicles 6:18)
"..for I am G-d and not a man" (Hosea
11:9)
"For I am the ALL-TRANSCENDENT One, and I do not change;
(Malachi 3:6)
"To whom can you liken G-d; What likeness can you attribute to Him?" (Isaiah
40:18)
Isaiah 44:7-8
'Who is like Me? Let him announce and declare it;
Yes,
let him recount it to Me in order,
From the time that I established
the ancient nation.
And let them declare to them the things
that are coming
And the events that are going to be.
'Do not tremble and do not be fearful;
Have
I not long ago proclaimed it to you and declared it?
And you
are My testimonies.
Is there any G-d besides Me,
Or
is there any other Rock?
I know of
none.'"
"G-d is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should relent.." ( Numbers 23:19 )
