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On the Importance of Character Development - Part One

    "Know Him in all your ways, and He will straighten your paths"
      --  Proverbs 3:17

Historically, "character development" and "proper morality" are matters that have concerned mankind almost as much as the matter of man’s relationship with God. From ordinary fathers and mothers raising children to philosophers, these matters are viewed and taught as keys to success and happiness. In our youth, we are told to mind our P's and Q's and be considerate of others. And, as we grow, we appreciate the maturity of those with refined characters and the necessity of proper morality for establishing order and stability in our relations. Some even elevate that appreciation to the degree that they make it into a science of sorts, spending considerable efforts studying the proper practice of character development, hoping thereby to attain happiness and personal fulfillment.

While it is true that developing one's character is important, the true purpose of doing so, as the Sages define it, is to help us draw closer to God. When a person develops good character, it transforms his social relationships, his dealings with his own affairs, and even his own thoughts and feelings. The Sages understood this to be as important a religious practice as prayer and Torah study! Character development is not just the stuff of self-improvement books, and it is indeed beyond the depths which the philosophers imagined. As we learn in the Mishneh Torah:

"A person should direct his heart and the totality of his behavior to one goal, becoming aware of God, blessed be He. The [way] he rests, rises, and speaks should be directed to this end." - Hilkhot De'ot (Laws of Traits) 3:2

This teaching, brought down from the ancient Sages of Israel, informs us that we should strive to be aware of God in every area of our lives. While the Torah is the instruction book given to us by God, and prayer is our direct link to Him, study and prayer are not the only means we have to connect to him. Rather, everything we do, even the most passive act of sleeping, can become a way for us to know God!

Torah study leads to practice, but practice is not simply avoiding a specific bad deed or doing a specific good deed – it is in the overall wholeness of our character. This is called "straightening the path". When we strive to know God in all areas of our lives, He straightens our character, as it says: "Know Him in all your ways, and He will straighten your paths." (Proverbs 3:17)

One of the most honored body of teachings among Jews is a section within the Talmud of tractate Avoth, known as Pirqei Avoth – Ethics of the Fathers.  These “sayings” of the Sages are designed to teach the proper way for a person to conduct himself in his relationships with God, other people, and himself.  They serve as a guide to the development of good morals and proper behavior, and help to bring one who studies and puts them into practice closer to God.  Originally intended as a guide to model character for the judges of the ancient Rabbinic Court, Pirqei Avoth has become widely studied by ordinary Jews.  While seemingly simple and brief, Pirqei Avoth is highly regarded by scholars and laymen alike for its ability to communicate deep, yet practical lessons in a way that can be understood by all. As a result, it is customarily studied by many of the Jewish people every year, between Pesach and Shavuot and during the summer months.

As with all the other rulings of the Sages contained within the Talmud, the laws on character development were codified by the Rambam in his seminal work, the Mishneh Torah. The laws regarding character development are found in Hilkhot De'ot ("Laws of Traits"). Though the vast majority of the laws found within the Mishneh Torah apply to Jews only, Hilkhot De'ot, as well as Hilkhot Yesodei HaTorah ("Laws which are the Foundations of Torah"), should be given serious study by B'nei Noah. For, within these two sections, the foundational teachings concerning man's relationship to God, and man's relationship to himself are explained in detail. Throughout this series of articles, we will primarily be focusing on Hilkhot De'ot.

Hilkhot De'ot explains the halakhah and teachings on the nature of man; what he is obligated to do in order to follow the path of God; how he achieves this path; the intent of following this path; admonishments against certain extremes; and admonishments to be vigilant against powerful, negative traits which can take him off the path. Many of the halakhot provided by the Rambam are supported by quotes from Pirqei Avoth, thus establishing an important link between the two.

Even though Hilkhot De'ot is a relatively short text compared to the other sections of the Mishneh Torah, many of which contain hundreds of halakhoth on ritual observance, its theme is very significant - man cannot truly know God unless he emulates the ways of God. This is a teaching that we must always be aware of throughout our study of Torah, and in the way we carry ourselves beyond our study. And though not everything within the Mishneh Torah applies to B'nei Noah, the laws of Hilkhot De'ot have such a universal appeal in their wisdom, that it behooves anyone, Jew or Gentile, to study these laws seriously, and live by them.

Over the next few months, we will be posting more articles on this topic, taking a more in-depth look into Hilkhot De'ot. We'll start by taking a closer look at specific halakhot in Hilkhot De'ot, examining how they can be applied in everyday life. The intent of this series is to provide a practical guide on the teachings of the Sages in regard to character development.