The sefer נפש החיים, by Rav Chaim Volozhiner זצ"ל, is a Litvishe Yeshivishe classic studied by many. In recent years it has been the subject of new attention, both from inside and outside the traditional circles that study it. But there is also at times confusion and disagreement about some points related to the major work.
A great article in the current issue of the English language Mishpacha magazine takes a new look at the sefer with the well-known mashgiach Rav Reuven Leuchter שליט"א.
Rav Leuchter is an interesting personality, who Mishpacha has featured in the past. In a video interview with them some months ago, for example, he responded to a question about neo-Mussar vs. neo-Chassidus, revealed that in his Kollel there is no mussar seder (he made a tenai there shouldn't be one, "בשום פנים ואופן"!, see interview for explanation), and commented on teachings of self-development gurus as opposed to mussar.
It is nice to see such התחדשות (renewal) and sincere interest in such things these days. As Rav Leuchter grasps well, mussar and מצות אנשים מלומדה don't go together. Rote mussar is sort of an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms.
May הקב"ה give him the strength to continue his important work, and go מחיל אל חיל.
