Mesilat Yesharim, containing all matters of ethics and fear of G-d, by R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, the Ramchal. [Amsterdam]: Naftali Hertz Rofe, [1740]. First edition, printed during the lifetime of the Ramchal, while he was in Amsterdam (before he immigrated to Eretz Israel).

Fine copy, in early leather binding, with gilt decorations.

Mesilat Yesharim is renowned as a refined, clear summary of the Ramchal's other works (Derech Hashem, Daat Tevunot, Klach Pitchei Chochmah, and others), written in measured, precise language with great depth of thought. In his introduction to his edition of the book "Mesilat Yesharim – Im Iyunim", R. Yechezkel Sarna mentions a tradition in the name of the Vilna Gaon that no extraneous word can be found until chapter 11! R. Yerucham of Mir would tell his disciples that "Mesilat Yesharim is based on all the Ramchal's kabbalistic works, yet he simplified the concepts to make them more accessible to us, such that we feel that we have a connection to it when studying it" (Daat Chochmah UMusar, I, p. 249).

The author explains in his introduction that this work was composed to assist in the acquisition of ethical wisdom (musar) and fear of G-d, which cannot be achieved through knowledge alone. The purpose of this work is not the innovation of previously unknown concepts but rather constant review and meditation to anchor those ideas within one's soul. Indeed, this book has been accepted throughout the Jewish world as the primary book for the study of ethics.

When the Vilna Gaon first saw the book, he proclaimed that a new light has come down to illuminate the world. In his high regard for the book, he paid a gold coin for it. In his foreword to Derech Hashem, R. Y. Moltzan quotes the Vilna Gaon's statement that were the author still alive, he would have travelled on foot all the way to Italy to greet him. He further relates that the Vilna Gaon would frequently review the book.

Chassidic leaders likewise appreciated the great stature of the book and the holiness of its kabbalist author. The Maggid of Kozhnitz attested that all the heights he reached in his youth stemmed from the book Mesilat Yesharim. The Ohev Yisrael of Apta and R. Menachem Mendel of Rimanov diligently studied Mesilat Yesharim in great depth, and describe it in awesome and wondrous terms. The Rebbe of Apta would say that his spiritual direction and education were drawn first and foremost from the book Mesilat Yesharim (Sefer HaChassidut, p. 146). R. Nachman of Breslov would instruct new disciples to study Mesilat Yesharim (Sichot VeSipurim, p. 167), and the Bnei Yissachar wrote in his additions to the book Sur MeRa VaAseh Tov: "Study the book Mesilat Yesharim and you will quench your thirst and give delights to your soul; its words are sweeter than honey". R. Yaakov Yosef of Ostroh (Rav Yeibi) writes in his approbation to the Ramchal's book Klach Pitchei Chochmah (Korets, 1785): "The book Mesilat Yesharim, the paths of G-d which the righteous tread, written by the great rabbi… R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. And this is the Torah which Moshe presented to Israel, to understand the words of the wise and their riddles, through its upright teachings...". In his foreword to the same book, the publisher quotes the Maggid of Mezeritch who stated that "[the Ramchal's] generation was not worthy of appreciating his righteousness and temperance".

R. Yosef Zundel of Salant told his illustrious disciple R. Yisrael Salanter that when receiving a farewell blessing upon leaving the Volozhin yeshiva, he asked R. Chaim of Volozhin which ethics book to study. His teacher responded: "All musar books are good to study, but Mesilat Yesharim should be your guide".

Since its first printing in 1740, Mesilat Yesharim has been reprinted in hundreds of editions, and to this day remains the primary musar book studied in Torah and Chassidic study halls.

CB, no. 6511,6; Zedner, p. 503.