Written by Safed kabbalist Moses Cordovero and published in Venice in 1588, after his death, Tomer Devorah/The Palm Tree of Deborah is a short book that interweaves the Jewish mystical system of the ten sephirot with suggestions for ethical human attitude and action. For example, how might we practically embody chesed/ lovingkindness in our own lives and relationships?
The book is a cornerstone of the Mussar tradition, originating in 19th century Lithuania, and more recently revived in a non-Orthodox American context. As the Mussar Institute website describes, Mussar emphasizes “that the extent to which our inner holiness shines outward is intricately linked to our inner world—the intricate tapestry of personality, character, and the interplay of our appetites and aversions. These components shape our connection to the world and determine the degree to which the profound holiness at our core is revealed to ourselves and to the world around us.” (Mussar Institute website: https://mussarinstitute.org/what-is-mussar/)
We will begin with Cordovero’s exploration into each of the Thirteen Attributes, which appear in the Torah, in the book of Exodus, and which we chant multiple times during High Holy Day services. We will then move through Cordovero’s practical guide to the ten sephirot as we consider the shifts, slight or otherwise, we want to dedicate ourselves to in the new year.