Personality Traits

Question

I am looking into personality traits. Like if a person is analytical or creative. I wanted to know if these are G-d given – if they are predetermined. Also does the soul have any influence or connection and where exactly are they planted in the body.

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    There is no doubt that a person’s traits are often clearly predisposed and traits that small children display can remain with them for the rest of their lives. For example, an inquisitive child often grows up to be an inquisitive adult; or a pugnacious child becomes an argumentative and difficult adult.

    Is this true for all of our traits? No, not necessarily. People pick up mannerisms and traits as they begin their journey into maturity, and, sometimes, once they have already reached adulthood. Does that mean that a person born with a particular trait (either good or bad) is going to be defined by it for their entire life? Possibly, but the Rabbis teaches us that all traits and characteristics are actually raw material that we define with our actions. This means that a person who has a natural tendency for kindness can use it to either be a source of immeasurable help and succor to all those around them or they can use their innate desire to perform kindness in the opposite direction and harm others by preying on their weaknesses.

    What the Rabbis are teaching us is something absolutely fundamental: We must learn how to control our traits so that they can come out in the very best way possible – and that we not let our traits control us.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team