QUESTION:
Which is a better sefer to learn, Chovos HaLevovos or Mesillas Yesharim? I’m always in doubt if I should be learning either of these two sefarim, which are each so amazing, at times I feel like sticking with Mesillas Yesharim but at other times I’m more inclined to stick with Chovos HaLevovos. Can the Rav please help me clarify my confusion about what to learn and which path to take?
ANSWER:
The sefer Mesillas Yesharim is based on the secret of “unifying Hashem’s Name” (yichud Hashem), as the author the Ramchal explains about in the sefer Daas Tevunos. This is also known as hanhagas hayichud (the mode of unification, Hashem’s revealed light, Hashem’s infinite compassion, rachamim – the higher mode of conduct). The sefer Chovos HaLevovos is describing hanhagas hamishpat (the mode of justice, Hashem’s concealment, din – the lower mode of Hashem’s conduct). The Chovos HaLevovos is like the guf (body) compared to the Mesillas Yesharim, which is like the neshamah, for the Chovos HaLevovos is describing hanhagas hamishpat, the lower mode of conduct that is subservient to Hashem’s higher mode of conduct known as hanhagas hayichud. Practically speaking, one should work his way upwards, beginning from the “guf”, which is to first learn sefer Chovos HaLevovos, and after that one should learn the neshamah part of his avodah, which is by learning Mesillas Yesharim. For a long time one should be implementing what he learns in Chovos HaLevovos, and after that one can enter into the avodah described in Mesilas Yesharim. For the time being, don’t learn any other sefarim, and by going in the aforementioned order of learning you will have, with siyata d’shmaya, the clarity to remove your confusion and doubts.
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