Ramchal begins his discussion of the trait of zeal and enthusiasm for living and doing the positive things the Torah expects of us. He focuses on the terrible damage that laziness does to us and how it warps our minds.

Ramchal teaches us the three obstacles that keep us away from attaining the trait of vigilance: Our daily chores, cynicism, and the wrong company.

Ramchal describes the third type of motivation for vigilance in our behavior, fear of consequences. Though this is the lowest of the three potential motivations, it can still lead us in the right direction. He also describes why consequences don't always follow immediately after our actions, to give us a chance to mend our ways.

Ramchal describes the path to acquiring the trait of vigilance is to learn and study. He then describes three groups of people whose motivation to learn and be vigilant are different. The first group are those who understand the inherent importance of their mission, and the second group are motivated by desire for honor. The third group will be discussed in our next lecture.

Ramchal describes the definition of the character trait "Zehirut" (vigilance or watchfulness) in chapter 2, and in chapter 3 he breaks down Zehirut into its' components.

Ramchal describes the basis of Jewish Ethics - Identifying and fulfilling our fundamental obligation in this world. It's not about our momentary pleasures, it's about making a better future.

We finish the author's introduction to the book. Awe of God's greatness and Love for Him are true wisdom, and how can we achieve this wisdom without studying it?

We begin this new lecture series with a biography of the life of Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato, the author of Mesilat Yesharim. We then begin the author's introduction to the work he is best known for, the Mesilat Yesharim.