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Who said Judaism wasn't filled with self-help?
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Who said Judaism wasn't filled with self-help?

25 of my favorite quotes, from ancient Jewish texts, about self-development.

Joshua Hoffman's avatar
Joshua Hoffman
Oct 16, 2022
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Future of Jewish is an audience-supported publication by people passionate about the Jewish future. To receive new premium content and support our mission to make Judaism one of the world’s bright spots, become a subscriber!

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If asked about the ideals which Judaism is normally associated, we might list Shabbat observance, a kosher diet, Israel and Zionism, circumcision, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and a variety of other ideals and mitzvot.

There is, however, a concept that is common to many peoples and cultures, which occupies a central place in Judaism: self-development.

Judaism’s comprehensive and unique approach to self-help is grounded in one place where many people would be dumbfounded to find it: ancient Jewish texts. Probably because they have an overly religious connotation, and therefore anyone not religiously inclined might automatically write them off.

Even of one my good friends, a non-religious Jewish and one of the smartest, most well-read people I know, scoffed when I told him that the Torah — for all its religious overtones — is filled with self-help. (Truth be told, it was that recent conversation which prompted this piece.)

Here are 25 of my favorite quotes, from ancient Jewish texts, about self-development:

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