Making Mensches: A Periodic Table
Inspired by Tiffany Shlain’s Periodic Table of Character Strengths. Watch The Science of Character & learn more at LetItRipple.org. Adapted by Rabbi Avi Orlow. For additional resources, contact avi@jewishcamp.org.
Wisdom
‫חכמה‬
Hochma
Wi
4
Courage
‫אומץ לב‬
Ometz Lev
"The Maharal of Prague [Rabbi Yehudah Loeb, d.1609] created a golem,
and this was a great wonder. But how much more wonderful is it to
transform a corporeal human being into a mensch!"
― Rabbi Israel Salanter,
Founder of the Modern Mussar Movement
Decency &
Co
5
Understanding
‫בינה‬
Bina
Wi
Co
8
9
Sensibility
‫דעת‬
Daat
Zest & Zeal
‫זריזות‬
Zerizut
*
Confidence
‫בטחון‬
Bitachon
6
Social Intelligence
‫דרך ארץ‬
Derech Eretz
Ho
*
10
Compassion
‫רחמים‬
Rachamim
Wi
Co
Ho
Ju
15
16 Discipline &
Will Power
‫גבורה‬
Gevurah
Co
17
18
Curiosity
‫סקרנות‬
Sakranut
*
Wi
* 24
Ho
Kindness
‫חסד‬
Chesed
Ju
Justice
‫דין‬
Din
Community
Mindedness
‫ערבות‬
Areyvut
12
Calm & Composure
‫מנוחת הנפש‬
Menuchat HaNefesh
Mo
Wi
Co
Ho
29
30
31
32
Creativity
‫יצירתיות‬
Yetziratiut
Appreciation of
Opposition
‫הערכה של מחלוקת‬
Wi Machloket
36
Wi
Foresight
‫רואה את הנולד‬
Roeh et HaNolad
23
Conviction
‫אמונה‬
Emunah
Perseverance &
Grit
‫נצח‬
Netzach
Co
37
Co
Integrity
‫יושר‬
Yosher
Loyalty
‫נאמנות‬
Ne’emanut
Pursuit of Peace
‫רודף שלום‬
Rodef Shalom
Ho
* 38
Ho
Leadership
‫מנהיגות‬
Manhigut
7
Compassionate
Criticism
‫תוכחה‬
Tochecha
Ju
39
Ju
Righteous
‫צדק‬
Tzedek
Humility
‫ענוה‬
Anavah
21
These 7 Middot, or
character traits, are keys
to success, according to
Paul Tough in his book,
How Children Succeed.
*
Tr
28
Mo
Tr
34
35
Joy
‫שמחה‬
Simcha
Mo
Mo
40
41
42
Balance
& Inner Beauty
‫תפארת‬
Tiferet
Mo
Tr
Mo
*
Gratitude
‫הכרת הטוב‬
Hakarat HaTov
Wholeness &
Peacefulness
‫שלמות‬
Shleimut
Tr
Amenability
‫הוד‬
Hod
Transcendence
Love
‫אהבה‬
Ahava
Modesty
‫צניעות‬
Tzniut
Piety
‫חסידות‬
Chassidut
Forgiveness
‫מחילה‬
Machilah
Justice
Moderation
Tr
27
33
Honor
Reverence & Awe
‫יראה‬
Yira
14
Mo
Patience
‫סבלנות‬
Savlanut
Wisdom
Courage
Contentment
‫הסתפקות‬
Histapkut
19
20
Organization & Order
‫סדר‬
Seder
Mo
Mo
25
26
Social Responsibility
‫אחריות‬
Achrayut
Ju
Mo
22
13
Wonder
‫מלכות‬
Malchut
Tr
Tr
11
KEY
3
Groundedness
‫יסוד‬
Yesod
Jewish ethics are
based on the idea
that we are created
in the Divine image. The
Kabbalah imagined that
HaShem is revealed in a
number of attributes, or
sfirot, which correspond
to our highest aspirations
for human character.
*
The highest sfirah,
attribute, not understood
in a human context.
43
Wi
Majesty
‫כתר‬
Keter
8
2
8
1