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.
