Why G-d Gave Me a Mental Illness – A Jewish Perspective on Pain, Purpose, and Strength

Rabbi Aron Moss, Chabad emissary in Sydney, Australia, was once asked the following question: “Can you tell me why G-d gave me a mental illness? Why would He make me suffer like this? I’m not a bad person…”

Rabbi Moss, who personally knew the one asking, responded with an answer that offers a powerful key for anyone facing life’s challenges: “Every soul enters this world with two suitcases,” he began. “One is filled with the challenges the soul is meant to face during its lifetime. The other is packed with the talents and tools needed to overcome those very challenges. The first suitcase is already open for you. The second, you must open yourself.”

He continued: “Your soul’s challenge is mental illness. Your mission is to use your gifts to turn that pain and frustration into something positive. Thanks to your openness and willingness to share your experiences, you can become a source of hope and inspiration for others struggling with mental illness. You can bring light and strength to those who aren’t as strong as you, by showing them what’s possible when they focus on their abilities. You can also bring understanding and awareness to those who haven’t experienced the pain of mental illness themselves.”

Rabbi Moss then recalled a past conversation he had with the individual, that left a deep impression: “Do you remember when I asked you what the hardest part of having a mental illness was? You said: the silence. That when people find out you have a mental illness, they don’t know what to say, and the conversation awkwardly ends. So I asked you, ‘What do you wish they would say?’ And your answer stunned me. You said, ‘I wish they would ask me questions about my illness. I wish they would show interest and try to understand what I’m going through. I wish they would give me the chance to share what I experience, instead of leaving me to suffer in silence.’

Rabbi Moss concluded with warmth and encouragement: “G-d gave your soul a difficult challenge, but He also gave you a warm, beautiful personality and a strong spirit capable of facing what lies ahead. That is a gift, and I hope you’ll share that gift with the world.”