Why Are We in This World - Each and Every One of Us?

I have spent hours enjoying the seaside, observing its amazing colors and the breaking waves. I've watched birds and various animals, following their behavior, and visited numerous archaeological digs. I've also read many books on various topics, not to mention the nights spent in fields, gazing at the stars and pondering the complexity and grandeur of the universe. One thing I'm sure of; nothing has astonished and enriched me more than human beings! Such a complex creature, with each individual different from the other, seemingly insignificant compared to the infinite universe, yet appearing as if they are the center of the world. It's amazing how people organize, behave, love, and kill one another. On my journey, I've talked to many people, visited diverse tribes and nations, and learned a great deal from them.

I pondered all this on my way to another day of study at the synagogue, where I asked the question: What is a human? Why do they exist?

Human Being: Definition

Take a close look at yourself, at your body. Notice its incredible structure! It has biological systems composed of thousands of components that enable you to exist, walk, see, feel, smile, cry, talk, think, and more. Everything works perfectly, better than anything humans have developed.

However, you are not just made up of this body. You are a "human being." Your body is only a part of you. Moreover, it is actually a means that allows you to interact with the world and thereby fulfill your life's purpose. The person carrying your name is composed of an intangible spiritual entity called a "soul." To understand who we are means to understand our soul - the truth of our life. No matter how much people invest in gyms and beauty centers, in the end, their body will continue to serve as the soul's vehicle, similar to how a driver uses a car.

If we think even deeper, we see that besides the body, we have emotions, thoughts, knowledge, and countless non-physical traits that are an integral part of a person. If you didn't think - or thought differently - your body would remain the same, but you would be a different person. From the moment you understood this, you have already perceived the existence of the spiritual part within you - that's your essence! So, when someone asks, "Who are you?", or "What are you?", do not focus on your body; remember yourself, meaning your soul - the part that thinks and feels, your plans for life, and the way you connect with Hashem. When you look at yourself in the mirror, do not see just a body, see the world that exists beyond it - what makes you.

To better understand our spiritual side, let's compare the functioning of the human eye to a camera's operation. What's the difference between them? In terms of components, there's not much difference. Both consist of optical systems that allow external light to reflect on a surface. In the eye's case - it is the retina; in a camera, it is the film, which changes according to the light and thus records the images. For a camera to have vision, it only lacks a brain to process the information recorded on the film. Imagine that a scientist decides to create in the camera a molecular structure identical to that of the human brain, with the same components enabling the existence of identical internal circuits.

There it is, now we just need to connect this machine to the most modern camera and... does anyone see anything? Think carefully! I believe not. There is no chance someone would see, because there is no one there; just a molecular structure and no soul - the one that actually sees. Even if the light reaches the appropriate part, there still needs to be someone to see - in essence, the soul.

The same goes for the other senses, emotions, and thoughts of a human. The matter itself neither thinks nor feels. A great philosopher would say, even if we cut open the brain and examine the smallest parts of the molecules, we would never find a single thought... thought belongs to the person's soul, it is not physical, and thus cannot be detected by the senses.

Furthermore, free choice also proves the soul's existence. Suppose you must wake up early in the morning. You wake up and consider whether to get up early or continue sleeping a bit more. If you were only matter, you would only have one option - your brain would go into automatic delay, and you would sink straight into the pillow, or it would direct you to get up. In our case, there is a soul that controls all these actions, capable of deciding.

Purpose of Our Existence

I present you with a small challenge. Try answering the purpose of your existence, and when you find an answer, do not give up, open it again and tell me.

Any news? Many spend hours pondering this issue. But it is so complicated that if we try to reach any conclusion on our own, we might eventually give up, invent some reason as an answer, or worse yet, find ourselves in an identity crisis that could drive us crazy. To illustrate this, let us give an example: during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York, there were several survivors. One of them is a woman who worked above the 50th floor; the moment she realized what was happening, she started descending the stairs with her coworker. Just then, the tower collapsed. Anyone watching the live broadcast on TV assumed she disappeared under tons of debris that covered her, but rescue teams found her alive. Despite the minimal probability, the woman slowly fell with soft debris, and they cushioned her fall and protected her until she reached the ground, where there was enough oxygen.

Today, she lives an ordinary life. There is no doubt that the event raised many questions in her, considering the miracle she experienced. In a press interview, she said she leads a regular life, but still does not understand the point of her survival, because on second thought, she doesn't see meaning in life.

This reality stems from a simple fact: we cannot reach a conclusion about the purpose of our existence without consulting the One who created us. It's clear! If you find a device and don't know what it is used for, it makes sense to look for the instruction manual written by its manufacturer. In our case, the guide is the Torah written by Hashem. Soon, we'll see what it has to say on the subject.

As we have already seen in the previous chapter, Hashem created the world to express His goodness. For that, there was a need for someone to receive the goodness, and thus humanity was created. This means that a human is essentially an ideal vessel for Hashem's goodness, and this is the reason for their creation. Isn't that amazing?! As a human being, you are the sole vessel for all divine goodness - it was not divided, but given only to you. What a gift! All this goodness is meant only for humans. After this understanding, you will surely appreciate your life more.

However, a person's role in the world is to know how to receive as much as possible of the divine goodness. To receive - not out of personal interest, but because it is Hashem's will.

So, what is this goodness that Hashem wants to give us? Life!!! He wants to give us not only biological life but the life of Torah, which is the best life possible. Our role is to know how to receive this goodness, achieved by living according to the Torah, which is the 'instruction manual for life'. Hashem's goodness is attained through constant self-improvement. Therefore, those who live the Torah way will receive Hashem's goodness - in this world and mainly in the world to come.

Purpose

To better understand, we need to know that every person has a special and unique purpose in this world. No two people have the same purpose. Even concerning the laws of Torah and mitzvot, there are differences among certain groups. For example, the obligations of women differ from those of men. Women are exempt from time-dependent positive commandments, allowing them to devote more attention to child-rearing - the most important role assigned to them. A woman's spiritual and natural position exempts her from having to set fixed times, as her concept of time cycles is far more developed than that of a man.

Differences in the obligation to perform mitzvot also exist among nations: Jews have six hundred and thirteen mitzvot, while other nations have only seven. Even within the Jewish people themselves, there are specific commandments for a Kohen, a Levite, and an Israelite.

From all this, it follows that people must seek their purpose in this world to complete their missions. Although it is very difficult to know precisely what specific purpose Hashem has destined for us, we must strive to apply our abilities by living as proposed in the Torah. Whether it be an artist, a rabbi, or a businessman, they all have one thing in common - they all use their abilities for the true purpose of the world and their lives, as described in the Torah. We will elaborate on this further.

From the book "Dan's Journey for Life's Meaning," by Roni Dayan. To purchase the book through Hidabroot Shops, click here.