The Infinite Value of Every Moment: Why Your Life Matters to God

When a Jew internalizes the worldview that their life is of immense value, that sense will accompany them through every step of life. Even if they are in pain and suffering deeply, the feeling of “Why should I live?” will not enter their thoughts and the sense of “I loathe my life” will disappear. Feelings of depression and meaninglessness will not linger in their mind, because they will think and feel: If I am alive, it must be because God is giving me life, because I still have something to accomplish in this world, something essential for my mission and correction.

God knows exactly why I’m alive and for what purpose. For that reason, He is willing to forgo the entire world just for me and for every Jew, no matter who they are. Even if I, personally, am ready to give up on life, God is not. He desires my life and He has a lofty purpose for me that is so profound that no human intellect can grasp. That understanding provides me with happiness and strength to be a partner in that divine goal, and to live in a way that brings pleasure to the God who loves me, who considers me so important, and who treasures every moment of my life.

It’s an incredible feeling to know that every moment I am alive brings such pleasure to God, and that He does not want to give up even a single second of my life. He sees the good in each moment, even in my current state, as something valuable for me and for the world.

When one lives with the awareness that every second matters to God, they no longer think, “What value do I add? What’s the point of my life with all these challenges?” Instead, they understand: Every moment of my life is worth more than the collective lives of all of Israel across all generations. What a powerful realization! It brings strength to every second, even in pain and struggle.

Of course, we are to believe that we’ll eventually be redeemed from hardship and should pray for salvation. Until that time however, this perspective can empower us in every difficult moment.

Rabbi Tauber shares:

Years ago, I met an 18-year-old boy diagnosed with a terminal illness. Doctors had given up hope and sent him home to spend his final days in peace. His parents, unwilling to accept this, flew him to a U.S. medical center, where they were told there was a new, extremely painful treatment that might extend his life by one or two months. They turned to a great Torah scholar to ask whether the boy should or must undergo this treatment. After thorough investigation, the rabbi ruled that only the boy himself could decide.

The boy asked to speak to me privately and said, “They say the treatment could give me another month or two, but I’m in constant pain and can’t concentrate for more than five minutes. My family is about to lose me, and another month of watching me suffer might only worsen their pain. So what’s the point?”

I replied that I couldn’t decide for him. All I could do was explain the value of even one month of life. I spoke about the infinite worth of a Jew’s life in God’s eyes, and how God doesn’t want to give up even one moment.

I told him: King David says in Psalms, “Let every soul praise God.” The sages explain: “For every breath we take, we praise Him.” Every breath of life carries divine purpose and infinite meaning.

I said: “Look what God is willing to do for one moment of your life. If you choose to undergo treatment, each additional breath will be an act of divine love. Even if you yourself feel no personal benefit, and even if your family will suffer seeing your pain, God takes infinite pleasure in every breath of a Jew’s life. Maybe your soul still needs a final stage of refinement, perhaps through accepting suffering with faith.”

This choice, I told him, would be a bold declaration of faith in the holiness of life: I may not understand the reason, but I trust that my life is sacred and meaningful to God.

The boy chose to undergo treatment. Amazingly, he endured the painful process with a smile on his face. His father later asked me, “What did you do to him that he’s smiling like that?” I replied, “I didn’t do anything — I simply helped him understand the meaning of life.”

When a person roots within themselves the belief that their life is precious to God, so much so that God is unwilling to forgo even a second, it transforms their entire experience. They become a partner in a divine mission, a co-creator in a profound spiritual reality.