Journey Toward Mussar
by Sam Axelrad, MD
Seven years ago my son, Chris, gave me a book on Jewish mysticism by Avram Davis, co-director of Chochmat Halev Jewish Meditation Center in Berkeley, California. At the time I was interested in spiritual healing as part of my medical practice. This book piqued my interest further, so much that I did something that I’d never done before: I called the author. Avram was gracious and attentive. He invited me to study with a group of his students in order to become certified Jewish meditation teacher.
For the next three years, 40 of us from across the US and from different walks of life were reading books and listening to weekly lectures by rabbis and other teachers. Every week the class conferenced with a study hevruta and practiced with a spiritual hevruta. We participated in monthly conference calls with Avram Davis. Every six months, the 40 of us rendezvoused in scenic northern California for a week-long retreat. Finally, when the course was complete, we graduated together in Berkeley at Chochmat Halev. The presence of our families at the graduation truly enhanced the meaning of our achievement. It was a triumphant realization of our work together, and yet I felt sad. It was our last time together as a group.
The mutual scholarship of those three years was such a significant leg of my journey. Yet upon completion of my study, I faced new junctures. Questions arose. How can I use Jewish meditation in a contemporary manner? Where can I make space for the practice in the tradition of Judaism in which I participate? In what ways can I incorporate the practice into the profession of medicine? And how can I make this a part of my desire to enhance my devekut to Hashem?
I am a great believer that everything in my life is directed by a higher power, thus I trusted that the answer was forthcoming.
Soon I received an e-mail from one of my Chochmat classmates announcing that Alan Morinis had written a book, Climbing Jacob’s Ladder. Furthermore he was starting a distance-learning course on Mussar.
I had not heard of Alan Morinis and I knew nothing about Mussar. But I immediately went to Amazon.com and purchased the book. I read the entire book in one day. I had my questions answered. Through the study and practice of Mussar, I was able to integrate my spiritual study into my daily life. My renewed goal became to share this journey to wholeness (shlemut) and holiness (kedusha). So once again I shed my reservations and contacted this author who made such an impact on me. Once again I was rewarded for the risk. I have been honored to participate in every course that Alan Morinis has offered through the Mussar Institute.
The first time I took The Course in Mussar I was long distance and truthfully there was a very important element missing. I craved the community of being with others during study. I longed for the interconnection of a minyon to feel whole. So I took “Mussar I” again. This time I organized a va’ad of 10 people with which I had something in common. We were a pretty diverse group. Four physicians, a lawyer, a health educator, an entrepreneur, a businessman, the director of the local Jewish community center. And my dexterous son, Chris, a musician/computer programmer/master of Oriental medicine, who started it all with his gift to me. Fortunately it worked very well. Since that time I have been able to organize two other va’adim as well as host the Mussar Kallah II in Houston. My va’ad continues today as a chaburah. Originally we had one scheduled meeting a month which was decidedly inadequate for our group. So we added a mid-month meeting.
Now I am raising the funds to develop Mussar Curriculum for Teenagers. Reaching out to youth at this crucial age is a fundamental step in strengthening the fabric of Judaism. As soon as we can raise the funds, Alan Morinis can begin the project and access the creative talents of other teachers. To accomplish this undertaking will cost about $8,000. We have raised $4,000 so far. Please contact me at saxel38@aol.com if you are interested in participating in this worthy and decisive endeavor
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