The Ofek Translation: A Review

by Eliezer Brodt

There have been various commentaries and translations of this important work over the years. One such work has been published by the Ofeq Institute. They recently published an English translation of an alternative version of the Mesilat Yesharim. This version is fundamentally different than the standard edition of Mesilat Yesharim. The standard edition is divided into chapters based upon various character traits. This new version eschews the chapter divisions and instead is arranged in a conversation or dialogue format. Specifically, a dialogue between a "wise man" and a "pious person." This second version comes from a manuscript in the Baron Ginzburg collection in the St. Petersberg Library. The manuscript is in the Ramchal's own hand and is substantially longer than the other version. Although the Hebrew edition of the dialogue version has been available for a while (also from Ofeq) [1], this version has now been published in an English edition.

This English translation includes an introduction discussing the Mesilat Yesharim, the two versions, and the English translation employed. The translation does not skimp in the sense that it is annotated with English notes - something that does not appear in all English translations. Instead, many English translations provide the footnotes in Hebrew. This seems counter-intuitive for if the person wants to read the work in English, they would like to read the whole work including the footnotes. This edition does not suffer from that and instead, almost everything is in English. Additionally, Ofeq also included the original version in translation as well. There are, however, two parts that remain in Hebrew. The first are citations to verses, Talmudic passages and the like; the second is an appendix titled Bein HaMesilot which compares the dialogue version with the standard chapter version.

When it comes to English translations, there are typically two options. The first are academic presses which are typically expensive and not aimed at a popular audience. The second are the traditional Orthodox presses, while these are typically more readable, they (although not always) don't provide some of the scholarly detail. Ofeq's translation of the Mesilat Yesharim strikes a nice balance between these two - they have produced a highly readable yet include the scholarly detail as well.

As mentioned above, what is unique about this copy of the Mesilat Yesharim is that is is written in a completely different style than the current Mesilat Yesharim. This new version is written in a debate form. The Ramchal wrote other works in debate form as well. For example, his work on defending kabbala. For whatever reason, he chose to print the other, standard, version and the debate version remained in manuscript. It's unclear, however, why the Ramchal chose to do so. Many feel that a debate version is much better for two reasons: One, it keeps the reader much more interested and two, it brings out the various points much better as is always in a debate form.

Turning back to the Ofeq edition in particular, it is important to highlight the footnotes included. (While much has been written on the Mesilat Yesharim before this edition, especially worthy of mention is the edition of R. Sarna.) This edition includes notes by R. Shoshana. Aside from explaining the text and the concepts therein and providing sources from Hazel and the rishonim (R. Shoshana writes that he has spent many years learning this sefer very carefully), the notes also offer historical information, such as on page 6 when dealing with learning pilpul or on page 127 about a custom in those days in Italy where there were large plays and comics played before Jewish audiences.

The end section, Bein HaMesilot, is a great section discussing at length a few topics of the Mesilat Yesharim and comparing and contrasting how the two versions differ. This shows that at times the debate version is much lengthier than the current version we have. Another thing that was done in this edition is that they fixed up the original version of Mesilat Yesharim from all the mistakes that crept in since its first printing. This sefer by an the author who was subjected to much opposition in his lifetime by many great gedolim, as is documented in the Iggeres Ramchal, was zoche that one of his works became an enduring classic.

The only criticism I can think of on this edition is that they should have included all their appendices and introductions from their previously printed Hebrew edition. But with this new edition it should be much easier to learn and I am sure this all-time classic will continue to be enjoyed even today.

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[1] The Hebrew edition includes an extensive introduction enumerating all the differences between the versions by R. Yosef Avivi, an expert on Kaballah and especially the Ramchal's writings.