Israel Salanter was a prominent 19th-century Jewish thinker and the founder of the Musar movement, which emphasizes ethical and moral development in Jewish life. Born in 1810 in what is now Lithuania, he sought to address the spiritual and ethical challenges faced by Jews during a time of social change and modernization. Salanter's teachings focused on self-improvement, introspection, and the importance of character development. He encouraged individuals to cultivate virtues such as humility, patience, and compassion, aiming to create a more ethical and spiritually aware community. His influence continues to be felt in contemporary Jewish thought and practice.