Soul Construction

Shape Your Character Using 8 Steps from the Timeless Jewish Practice of Mussar

Self-help fads come and go but the timeless Jewish practice of mussar, a strategy for ethical and spiritual character refinement, has been helping perceptive and purposeful people live fulfilling and happy lives for generations. After years of teaching mussar classes and workshops and marveling at the dramatic changes in participants’ lives, Ruchi Koval provides a roadmap for people of all faiths, filled with clear explanations and illustrative anecdotes guiding readers through eight practical and powerful steps to a better version of themselves.

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“I enjoyed this book because of its strong content, cute personal anecdotes, and sharings from Torah sources and popular psychology. The author goes through eight basic character traits, (forgiveness, positive judgment, to name a few) and shows the reader how refining these traits will add inner peace and fulfillment to our own lives. Mrs. Koval writes with compassion, humor and humility, in a light style, making this read a smooth and easy one. I will be revisiting the book in the future and re-read certain parts as the need arises. Recommend highly for anyone interested in self-improvement and growth.”

-Miriam H., Amazon Customer

“This was a wonderful book that every Christian and Jewish women should read to help you refocus your life back on the things that truly matter and grow more in God.”

-Amazon Customer

“The kind of book that you read – and re-read again. There are wonderful points that speak to individual character traits and help sensitize one to improving in practical and defining ways. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Written with wit, humor and it truly is a great read! Highly recommend.”

-Sarah, Amazon Customer

Excerpts taken from The Jewish Press review of December 2, 2021:

Koval defines mussar as “an ancient path toward spirituality, based on personal ethics and character development.” Mussar is the Jewish ethical tradition of self-improvement and moral conduct… the study of which was pioneered by Rav Yisrael Salanter in the nineteenth century. Koval, a seasoned Jewish educator based in Cleveland, Ohio, has made teaching mussar a central part of her educational approach. Soul Construction serves as a how-to guide for the practice of mussar, making the ideas accessible and interesting to the novice and expert alike.

The book is divided into eight chapters, each of which is dedicated to a different character trait. Including topics such as “favorable judgment” and “happiness,” Koval opted to focus on personal qualities that are most crucial to maintaining effective relationships. The purpose of mussar is to work on one’s own growth and not to attempt to fix others, but Koval’s thesis is that when a person changes for the better, they impact everyone in their orbit. The book explains the ways that the traits under discussion come up in daily life and gives practical advice on how to gradually improve one’s proficiency in them. The chapters build on one another, using ideas that were previously discussed, to shed light on related topics.

“I recommend this book for anybody looking to grow spiritually and to become a better person. The teachings from this book are very practical as well.”
-Amazon Customer

I bought a copy thinking I would share it with my wife after I finished it. Once I got a couple of chapters in, I liked it so much I bought another copy for her so we could read it together. Thank you to the author!

-David H.

I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you for bring Ruchi Koval on the show with you. I’ve never heard of mussar before but my heart leaped for joy like I’d found something I’d been searching for a lifetime. Personal edification has been a passion of mine from a young age. In the Christian community Sanctification, Holiness and becoming more Christ like is a huge source of study and contention at least from my experience. I’ve been so excited about this book and the whole world of books on the topic. I was talking to my pastor’s wife about this whole concept and how the focus is bring concepts from The Word into a discussion on how to actually live the concepts out in our everyday lives. Now I’m going to be leading mussar classes at my church. I’m not at all sure I’m qualified but with Gods help and a lot of studying I’m sure this is going to change the lives of the ladies in my church. It already has changed mine.
-Cynthia S.

About Author, Ruchi Koval

Ruchi Koval is the co-founder and Associate Director of Congregation JFX, an innovative community in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been a Jewish educator for two decades, leading self-development groups for adults and teens, and mentoring educators around the world. Ruchi is a certified parenting coach, motivational speaker, musician, author, and mother. She is a Trip Leader for Momentum, inspiring hundreds of women on their journeys in Israel.

Available in the following international markets through Amazon Print-on-Demand:

Canada (CA)
United Kingdom (UK) – Also available as Audiobook
Germany (DE) – Also available as Audiobook
France (FR) – Also available as Audiobook
Spain (ES)
Italy (IT)
Japan (JP)
Australia (AU)

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