Sample Listing of Middot

Select List of Middot*

Hebrew Transliteration	Definition
Ahavah	Love
Ahavat Yisrael	Love of all the Jewish people
Ahuv*	Being loved or beloved
Anavah*	Modesty
Areyvut	Mutual responsibility
Arichat Sefatayim*	Orderly speech
Aymah*	Fear as in honor or panic
B’tzelem Elohim	In the image of HaShem
Bal Taschit	Preservation of the environment
Binat HaLev*	An understanding of the heart
Cherut	Freedom
Chesed	Kindness
Chochmah	Wisdom
Daat	Knowledge
Dan L’Chaf Zechut	Give the benefit of the doubt
Derech Eretz	Respect for others, civility
Dibuk Chaverim*	Cleaving to friends
Din V’Rachamim	Justice and mercy
Eino Machazik Tova L’Atzmo*	Refraining from taking personal credit for what is good
Eino Samayach BeHora’ah*	Not delighting in rendering decisions
Emet	Truthfulness
Emunah	Faith
Emunat Chachamim*	Trust in the sages
Erech Apayim*	Slowness to anger
Hachnasat Orchim	Hospitality
Hakarat Hatov	Recognizing the good in others
Kabbalat HaYisurin*	Acceptance of suffering
Kavod	Respect
Kedusha	Holiness
Kehillah	Community
Kibbud Av Va’em	Respect for parents
Klal Yisrael	Community of Israel
Lev Tov*	Good heart
Lo Levayesh	Not embarrassing
Lo Maygis Libo B’Talmudo*	Not being arrogant with one’s learning
Lomed al Manat Lelamed*	Studying in order to teach
Lomed al Manat La’asot *	Studying in order to perform mitzvot
Lo Tachmod	Not coveting
Ma’asim Tovim	Doing good deeds
Ma’amido al HaEmet*	Setting others on the path of truth
Ma’amido al HaShalom*	Setting others on the path of peace
Machkim et Rabo*	Sharpening the wisdom of one’s teacher
Machrio L’Chaf Zechut	Influencing one’s fellow to virtue
Makir et Mekomo*	Knowing one’s place
Malachah	Work or industriousness
Mechavayn et Sh’muato*	Determine exactly what one hears
Machrio L’Chaf Zechuf*	Judging others favorably
Michshol Lifnei Iver	Not placing a stumbling block in front of the blind
Mishnah*	Learn by repetition; Study the Oral Law
Mishpacha	Family
Middah Shoayl U’Mayshiv*	Asking and answering
Mitrachayk Min HaKavod*	Distance yourself from honor
Mityashev Libo Be’Talmudo*	Concentrating on one’s studies
Miyut Derech Eretz*	Limiting one’s involvement in worldly concerns
Miyut Sechok*	A minimum of frivolity
Miyut Sechorah*	Moderation in business
Miyut Shaynah*	A minimum of sleep
Miyut Sichah*	A minimum of small talk
Miyut Ta’anug*	A minimum of worldly pleasure
Nedivut	Generosity
Nosay B’ol Im Chavayro*	Share the burden with one’s friend
Ohev et HaMakom*	Loving HaShem
Ohev et HaBriyot*	Loving all creatures
Ohev et HaTz’dakot	Loving charitable deeds
Ohev et HaMaysharim*	Love of being straightforward
Ohev et HaTochachot*	Loving reproof
Ohev et HaTzadakot*	Loving righteous ways
Ohev Zeh et Zeh/ Mechabayd Zeh et Zeh	Loving and honoring others
Omer Davar BeShem Omro*	Quoting one’s sources
Omez Lev	Courage
Pilpul HaTalmidim*	Sharp discussion with students
Rachamin	Compassion
Shimush Chachamim*	Attend to the sages
Sh’miat Ha-Ozen*	Attentiveness/Being a good listener/Paying attention
Shmirat HaGuf	Taking care of your body
Shoal U’Mayshiv	Asking and answering questions
Shomer Achi	Being one’s brother’s keeper
Sichlut HaLev*	A perceptive heart
Simchah*	Happiness or joy
Shomaya U’Mosif*	Absorbing knowledge and adding to it
Somaych Noflim V’Rofay Cholim	Supporting and healing
Talmud*	Study of Torah
Tikkun Olam	Repairing the world
Tochechah	Rebuking
Tzarchei Tzibbur	Responding to community needs
Tzedek	Justice
Yirah	Awe and reverence
Yishuv BeMikra*	Calmness in study
Yirah*	Fear, dread, or reverence

* The middot followed by an asterisk (*) are taken with permission from the website of the Union of Reform Judaism: http://urj.org/shabbat/middot/ . Retrieved January 30, 2009. Also see Freeman, S. (1999). Teaching Jewish Virtues: Sacred Sources and Arts Activities.Denver, CO: A.R.E. Publishing, Inc.

On the next post we will begin our discussion of the second teacher-directed model of teaching, the Direct Instruction Model of Teaching.

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