Have you ever tried to read a book or drive a car with smudged glasses? The words blur, the road feels uncertain, the familiar faces in front of you look strangely unclear. And then—after a quick wipe—the world snaps back into focus. Nothing outside has changed, but suddenly you can see.
That’s what the Mussar tradition calls toher—clarity. Not cleverness or certainty, but the spiritual discipline of perceiving what is right in front of us without letting fear, ego, or habit distort it.
In our latest Mountain Mussar Journal, we explore the middah of toher through the story of Hannah and Eli, a moment of painful misjudgment that turns into a lesson in humility, compassion, and the courage to see again with fresh eyes. Alongside insights from modern psychology and mindfulness, this week’s practice reminds us that clarity is less about being right and more about being willing to re-see.
Ready to begin? Read the full reflection and explore the journaling prompts here:
Mountain Mussar: Journal: Clarity: Toher
