What Is the Purpose of Life? A Torah Perspective on Why We Exist

I have spent hours by the seashore, marveling at its breathtaking colors and the breaking waves. I have watched birds and many kinds of animals, observing their behavior. I have also visited numerous archaeological digs, and read countless books on various subjects, not to mention the nights I spent in the fields, gazing at the stars and reflecting on the complexity and grandeur of the universe.

And yet, nothing has ever amazed or enriched me more than the human being! Such a complex creature, each detail unlike any other, who on the one hand is insignificant compared to the infinite universe, and on the other seems to be its very center. It is astonishing how people organize themselves, behave, love, and even kill one another.

Along my way, I have spoken with many people and visited different tribes and nations, and needless to say, I learned a great deal from them.

It was with all these thoughts in mind that I walked to another day of study in the synagogue, and there I asked the question: What is a human being? Why does he exist?

Human Being: A Definition

Look closely at your body and notice its remarkable design. There are biological systems made up of thousands of components that enable you to live, walk, see, feel, smile, cry, speak, think, and more. Everything works perfectly, better than anything humankind has ever invented.

You are not made up only of this body, but you are a “human being.” Your body is just one part of you, a tool that allows you to interact with the world and fulfill your life’s purpose. The person who bears your name is made of an intangible spiritual entity called the “soul.” To understand who we are is to understand our soul, which is the truth of our lives.

No matter how much people invest in gyms or beauty clinics, the body will always remain a vehicle for the soul, just as a car is to its driver.

Beyond the body, we have emotions, thoughts, knowledge, and endless non-physical qualities that are an inseparable part of a human being. If you were to think differently, or not think at all, your body might remain the same, but you would be a different person. The moment you grasp this, you recognize the existence of your spiritual side — your essence.

When someone asks, “Who are you?” or “What are you?” do not focus on your body. Your true self is your soul, the part that thinks and feels, your life goals, and your connection with God. When you look in the mirror, do not see only a body, but see the inner world that lies behind it, and the elements that make you you.

Seeing with the Soul

To better understand our spiritual side, we can compare the human eye to a movie camera. What’s the difference? In terms of components, both have an optical system that allows external light to project onto a surface. In the case of the eye, it’s the retina; in a camera, it’s the film or sensor that records the image.

For a camera to “see,” however, it needs more than just an optical system — it would need a brain to interpret the information. Imagine a scientist could create a molecular replica of the human brain and attach it to the most advanced camera. Would anyone be able to see through it? The answer is no, because even with the perfect physical structure, there is no person or soul there to perceive it.

The same applies to our other senses, feelings, and thoughts. Matter itself does not think or feel. One great philosopher said that even if you were to cut open the brain and examine its tiniest molecules, you would never find a single thought, because thought belongs to the soul, which is not physical and cannot be detected by the senses.

Free will also testifies to the existence of the soul. If you need to wake up early in the morning, you wake and weigh the choice to get up or stay in bed. If you were only matter, there would be no decision to make as your brain would either automatically keep you asleep or automatically wake you. However, the soul can choose, beyond the body’s impulses.

The Reason for Our Existence

Many people spend hours pondering the reason for their existence. However, it is so complex that, left to ourselves, we may give up, invent a reason just to settle the matter, or worse, fall into an identity crisis.

In the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York, some people miraculously survived. One woman, working above the 50th floor, began to descend the stairs with her colleague as soon as she realized what was happening. Moments later, the tower collapsed. Viewers watching the event live on television assumed she was buried under tons of debris, but firefighters later found her alive. Against all odds, she had fallen gently with softer debris that cushioned her, preserving enough air to breathe until she was rescued.

Today she lives an ordinary life, but she admits that she doesn’t understand why she was saved, and is unable to see the meaning in it.

A person cannot determine the purpose of his existence without consulting the One who created him. If you find a device and do not know its use, you naturally turn to the manufacturer’s manual. In our case, the manual is the Torah, written by God.

God created the world to express His goodness. For that goodness to be given, there needed to be someone to receive it, and humankind was created. This indicates that we are the ideal vessels for God’s goodness, and that is the reason that we exist. As a human being, you are the sole intended recipient of divine goodness — He reserved it for you alone.

Our role is to receive as much of that goodness as possible, not out of selfishness, but because it is God’s will. That ultimate good is life — not only physical life, but the life of Torah, which is the highest form of existence. Our mission is to receive this good by living according to the Torah, the “instruction manual for life.” We attain God’s goodness through constant self-improvement. Those who live by the Torah receive divine goodness both in this world and most importantly, in the World to Come.

Purpose

Every person has a unique, irreplaceable purpose in this world. No two people share the exact same mission. Even in Torah law, there are variations between groups. For example, women are exempt from certain time-bound positive commandments so they can dedicate more attention to raising children which is one of their most vital roles. A woman’s natural and spiritual connection to time frees her from strict schedules in this regard.

There are also differences between nations: Jews have 613 commandments, while the nations of the world have 7 Noahide laws. Even among Jews, specific mitzvot apply only to Kohanim, Levi’im, or Israelites.

Each person should strive to discover and fulfill their own mission. While it is difficult to know precisely what God has assigned to us, we must use our abilities in line with the Torah’s guidance. Whether one is an artist, a rabbi, or a businessperson, the same principle applies to use your talents to serve the true purpose of the world and your life, as described in the Torah.