When Rabbi Jamie went on sabbatical several years ago, fellow congregant Bonnie Houghton and I agreed to take the responsibility of organizing and facilitating the Thursday afternoon Mussar group at Beth Evergreen. Without the wisdom of our rabbi, we were a bit worried that the group might go sideways, so we printed out cards for everyone that said, “Mussar It!”
What did that mean? We wanted participants, including ourselves, to remember that this group studied ethics together, so we should model ethical behavior. Our goal was to hold ourselves accountable as we practiced the middot (soul traits) that informed our own Mussar journey. We were going to work on personal growth, not try to “help” someone else become “better” by our standards. We were not to slip down the slope of gossip or griping. We had norms, including confidentiality, respect and honor.
In the last few weeks, I have found “Mussar It” to once again serve as a valuable mantra. It is a reminder to be my higher self, to act as if I am the person I aspire to be. It is to recall my Mussar journey over the last dozen years and practice what I have learned. It’s about balancing the soul traits - when to have patience and when to respond with alacrity to injustice; when to be silent and when to speak up; when to be generous and when to set boundaries. It's acting in accordance with the famous line in Ecclesiastes, “Everything has an appointed season, and there is a time for every matter under the heaven.”
I find daily opportunities to practice my rediscovered mantra. Last week, when I paid $11.99 for eighteen eggs at King Soopers, I was really tempted to post a clever, snide political comment on Facebook. As I walked the dogs, I came up with what I considered to be some very witty potential posts. I giggled. Then I stopped myself and said, “Mussar It.” What’s the point? I will make some people angry; some will laugh. The price of eggs will remain the same…or go up even more. No positive impact and, more importantly, no soul growth. So I stayed silent. No post.
On the other hand, when I read the Virginia Theological Seminary statement supporting Bishop Marianne Budde that included the line “to ask a President to be merciful in the tradition of the prophets of the Hebrew Bible,” I felt compelled to share the Facebook post. After all, it was a religious organization quoting a Jewish ethical position. Did it make a difference to my Facebook friends? Maybe it inspired some; maybe it offended others. And this time, I believed it made a difference for my soul growth. Posting represented the higher virtues that I aspire to. It meant speaking up to take a stand against injustice.
It’s going to be a long, bumpy journey ahead. So as I read the news, experience the fallout of political decisions, or witness injustice, I will use the mantra of “Mussar It.” It provides me with a mindful choice point for deciding when and how to act with the goal of helping others while progressing on my Mussar journey. It allows me to respond with equanimity rather than react in anger or fear. And it fosters a much-needed level of inner peace.
MUSSAR IT!
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