Why Is My Soul Unique? Understanding Your Personal Mission in Judaism

Yehuda Asks: “I have a question that’s been bothering me: What makes me special or different from other souls that came into this world? Why is there a need for me as well? If God created all souls identical in essence (since God is just and gives everyone the same capabilities), then why do we need so many souls?”

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Hello Yehuda, and thank you for your thoughtful question.

God did not create all souls identical. If He had, He would have created only one human being or stopped sustaining the world after the first soul reached the level of Moses. From the very beginning, God desired a world filled with many souls, each with unique roles and missions, so that every soul would sanctify His Name in its own distinct way.

This is why God created man and woman; kohanim, Levites, and Israelites; and even established the twelve tribes, each with its own unique role and blessings. God wanted diversity in the world, so that His Name would be sanctified through a multitude of paths. Together, we form a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation,” and through cooperation (between men and women, among tribes, and within the nation of Israel and the broader world), we bring creation to its ultimate purpose — just like a body made up of many different organs.

Thus, there are no two identical tzaddikim (righteous individuals), nor are there two identical souls. Every person is capable of achieving spiritual greatness and sanctifying God's Name in a way that no one else can.

Hashem indeed acts with absolute justice and equips every person with the exact tools suited to their unique soul and inner strengths. As the Talmudic Sages taught: “The greater a person is, the greater his yetzer hara (inclination)” (Sukkah 52a). They also taught that God never places a person in a test they cannot withstand. While Hashem created souls with inherent differences, the scope and nature of each person’s challenges are calibrated precisely to their unique abilities.

Our Sages also taught: “Yiftach in his generation is like Shmuel in his generation” (Rosh Hashanah 25b). God does not judge a soul merely by its external achievements but considers the unique soul-powers and opportunities it was given, matching them to the challenges it faced. We all receive the same opportunity to choose between good and evil, but the circumstances are customized, giving each of us a personal identity and mission unlike anyone else’s.

In other words, you have a unique soul, and with it, you’ve been given tests and missions specifically designed for you. Notice that no one else perceives reality exactly as you do; no one else feels precisely as you feel. Hence, no one else has your personal challenges and opportunities to sanctify God's Name in a way that only you are capable of. Your personal life experience makes you a “world unto yourself,” which is why our Sages said: “Whoever saves one Jewish soul, it is as if he has saved an entire world” (Sanhedrin 4:5).

For this reason, our Sages also forbade us from judging others, teaching: “Do not judge your fellow until you have reached his place” (Pirkei Avot 2:4). It is impossible to truly know another person’s inner world — their challenges, their strengths, and their tests. Only God, who searches the heart and mind, is capable of judging us accurately.

Every soul is a unique world, and you have the ability to sanctify God’s Name in a way that no other creature can. You possess a unique soul and a mission tailored just for you. From this, you should realize how deeply God loves every soul He created, like a beloved son or daughter.