The pursuit of being truthful in all our everyday affairs (“Everyday Emes”) can be a lifelong journey. The great leaders of the Mussar Movement defined “Shleimus” – wholeness, as cultivating and perfecting the various character traits that shape our identities and interactions both with Hashem and with others around us – especially the character trait of Emes.
Some of the various character traits that foster Emes include humility or modesty, courage and compassion. One needs to work on one’s modesty to acknowledge one’s mistakes and shortcomings. One needs to develop courage to empower oneself to resist societal pressures and speak out against falsehood and injustice. And one needs compassion, to be able to empathize with others and understand their truths or perspectives which may be different than one’s own.
“May I back out of a school carpool that I have already committed to?”
“Should I report a co-worker who is acting dishonestly?”
Call our Emes Halacha Hotline with your Everyday Emes questions at: 718-200-5462.
To subscribe to this weekly, free newsletter or for further information about our Foundation, please visit us at www.everydayemes.org or contact: [email protected].
