The Mussar Movement. R' Nosson Tzvi Finkel: The Alter of Slabodka. Descriptions of his Interactions With Others Within the Mussar Movement. Problems With the Mussar Concept and How it Functioned. Creation of Slabodka Yeshiva and How the Alter Ran It. - Nov 24, 2025 - Slabodka is a suburb of Kovno. The controversy over Mussar. Torah was not given to angels. Success of Chassidut compared to Mussar. Problems with self-psychoanalysis within Mussar. R' Yisroel Salanter. R' Yitzchak Blazer. R' Blazer purchases and runs a hotel in Kovno. Why did R' Naftali Amsterdam move to Helsinki? R' Nosson Tzvi Finkel: Alter of Slabodka: He ran a high school in Kelm with R' Simcha Zissel Ziv. Nature of this school was unique for that time period. High school closed but the yeshiva continued. Alter comes to Slabodka from Kelm. He was very close to the students and minimized being out in public. Why Mussar and Gadlut Ha'adam were crucial there. Physical appearance of the students. Documentaries on Christians who converted. The Alter: What does God want of you? Key gemara is Chulin 92a which supports Mussar. Amish girl who converted. Levitan family. Tzvi Levitan starts Or Hachaim Yeshiva in Slabodka. R' Finkle was selected to run it. Being organized was extremely crucial to him. Examples. He introduced a rigid schedule that ALL students must follow. The Rav liked Chovot Halevavot. Presence of ascetic overtones in some, not all, of the Mussar books.
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