Virtual Mussar – Topic: Gratitude/Hakarat Hatov

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One of the Mussar terms for gratitude is hakarat ha-tov הכרת הטוב , literally “noticing/recognizing the good.” When we are sensitive enough to notice that a good deed has been done on our behalf, we will — ideally — store that memory, come to understand that we are part of a greater web of care and concern, and in response, pay the favor forward, either directly to the bestower of the kindness or to others in their honor. In that way, memory, a sense of gratitude, and loving-kindness become interconnected middot. We will explore the important middah of hakarat ha-tov in this session.