Tomer Devorah (The Palm Tree of Deborah) by Rabbi Moshe Cordovero:
Main Purpose
The book teaches how a person should imitate God’s divine attributes, especially His thirteen attributes of mercy, to become spiritually refined and achieve closeness to God. It’s a practical guide for character development based on mystical Kabbalistic teachings.
Core Themes
Imitation of Divine Attributes The foundation is the idea that human beings were created “in God’s image,” which means not just physical form, but actions — we should reflect divine mercy, patience, forgiveness, and love in how we behave.
The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy
Each chapter explores one of the attributes mentioned in Micah 7:18–20, such as:
• Bearing insults without retaliation
• Forgiving others’ sins
• Not holding onto anger
• Being compassionate even when others don’t deserve it
• Remembering people’s past goodness even when they fail in the present
The idea is: by embodying these, a person elevates themselves and brings divine blessings into the world.
Humility as the Root Virtue
Humility is described as the highest quality — the “crown” (Keter) —
from which all other good traits flow.
A humble person makes space for others,
doesn’t demand honor, and opens the path to true kindness.
Loving All Creatures
The book teaches not just love for people, but respect and care for all creatures and the natural world, recognizing everything as part of God’s creation.
Repentance (Teshuvah)
A major theme is the power of repentance to sweeten divine judgment and
transform sins into merits,
reflecting the divine attribute of compassion toward the penitent.
Practical Acts of Kindness
Cordovero connects mystical concepts with everyday acts:
giving charity, welcoming guests, helping the sick, and maintaining a positive,
generous attitude toward others.