The Vilna Gaon said, “All G-d’s service is dependent upon the improvement of one’s character. Character traits are fundamental to the performance of mitzvos and to Torah principles. Conversely, all sin stems from unimproved character traits.”
Even Sheleimah, The Vilna Gaon Views Life, p. 17 (1:1–2).
Rabbi Avigdor Miller says that everyone must study musar, no matter what group they are from. We all have to learn how to conduct ourselves, how not to hurt the feelings of other people. For this, you must study musar.
Listen to this recording.
Rav Miller on the need to study musar
How can you move your family to a place like this? Do you care about their avodas Hashem? Aliyah pushers guilt you. They make you feel as if you are not idealistic because you live in chutz, that you only stay there because you are addicted to luxury, as if every Orthodox Jew lives in chutz in luxury. I say, if you are idealistic, stay where you are because SSOI will hurt your avodas Hashem. Because the middos here generally are atrocious. Not in Meah Shearim, but that's .5% of Israel. The rest is really bad. Recently, I was walking with a friend, looking for a shul in neighborhood we were not familiar with. Since there was much construction where we were, it was deserted. We saw one guy, non-religious type. He seemed to be filming. My friend asked in Hebrew for the street we sought. The guy shouted something back. I said, "What did he say?" My friend said, "He said the equivalent of f...k you."
Welcome to Israel.
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