Purpose of Life

Notable Sources

All Sources

The Fundamental Purpose of Life

TANAKH

Revering God and observing His commandments is presented as the fundamental purpose of life for all mankind. Ecclesiastes, one of the five megillot in the Hebrew Bible, concludes by asserting that life’s purpose can be found in fear of God and adherence to God’s laws.

The sum of the matter, when all is said and done: Revere God and observe His commandments! For this applies to all mankind:

Ecclesiastes 12:13

The Ripple Effect of Our Actions

COMMENTARY

Even small, seemingly insignificant acts can have profound and far-reaching consequences. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his commentary on the weekly Torah portion 'Vayeshev,' explores the impact of individual actions on the broader universe, drawing on Jewish teachings and figures like Maimonides.

Change a life, and you begin to change the universe. That is how we make a difference: one life at a time, one day at a time, one act at a time. We never know in advance what effect a single act may have. Sometimes we never know it at all. Sara Kestenbaum, like Reuben, never did have the chance to read the book that told the story of the long-term consequences of that moment. But she acted. She did not hesitate. Neither, said Maimonides, should we. Our next act might tilt the balance of someone else’s life as well as our own.

Studies in Spirituality; A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible, Vayeshev; How to Change the World 23

The Path to Wholehearted Devotion

JEWISH THOUGHT

Serving God completely leads to a wholehearted love of G-d and elevates the individual. The 11th-century work, Duties of the Heart, by Rabbi Bachya ibn Pekudah, explores the profound spiritual and ethical dimensions of serving G-d.

The main thing of all - is to complete the conditions of slavehood and to designate G-d alone with masterhood - that all this be wholeheartedly and faithfully, and through this one's love of G-d will be wholehearted and likewise will be G-d's love towards him, as written "You have declared the L-ord this day to be your G-d...And the L-ord has declared you this day to be His treasured people" (Devarim 26:17-18), and "to make you supreme, above all the nations that He made" (Devarim 26:19), and "Then all the peoples of the earth will see that the name of the L-ord is called upon you…

Duties of the Heart, Eighth Treatise on Examining the Soul 3:27

The World Created for You

CHASIDUT

Each individual should view the world as being created specifically for them, highlighting their unique and significant role in sustaining the world. Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk, a principal disciple of the Maggid of Mezritch, offers profound insights into the purpose of life and the intrinsic value of each person.

The Sages of blessed memory stated the general rule - "each and every person is obligated to say: The world was created for me", and all of the world's events truly [occur] specifically for him. For one righteous person would have been sufficient [to sustain] the entire world as is written "[the] Righteous [man, the] foundation of the world". And as Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai stated "You and I are enough for the world" and as well, he stated, "I am a mnemonic (lit. symbol in/for the world)".

Peri HaAretz, Vayetzei 4

Selflessness and Honor

JEWISH THOUGHT

Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin teaches that true fulfillment is found in minimizing one's own honor to increase heaven’s honor and dedicating oneself to helping others, even at the expense of personal comfort and health. The introduction to Nefesh HaChayim, written by Rabbi Chaim’s son, highlights his father's dedication to communal service and Torah values, reflecting the ethos of Jewish leadership and selflessness.

In everything he did he would minimize his own honor so as to increase heaven’s honor, in public affairs and specifically in matters of general concern. It’s well known that he cast his own life aside and engaged himself to the extreme limits of his abilities. Even when he was old, he acted reliably to the end. And even when his energies were depleted (may the Merciful save us), even on his bed during his illness, he contemplated the future, and he would be gazing heavenward to associate heaven’s Name with the suffering of the masses and the individuals…

Nefesh HaChayim, An Introduction by the Author's Son 23

The Will for Meaning

JEWISH THOUGHT

Finding meaning in life can be a matter of survival, as demonstrated by Viktor Frankl's observations in concentration camps. Eliezer Berkovits explores the theological implications of exile and redemption, emphasizing the human will for meaning.

One thing, however, is certain. Since the world is creation, there is purpose to it; there must be meaning in existence. Victor Frankle, in his Man’s Search for Meaning, disagrees with those psychologists who are of the opinion that man is determined by his drives, such as the desire for pleasure or for power, or whatever else the case may be. According to him the importance of the drives is exaggerated. What is decisive for human existence is man’s will for meaning. In the concentration camps…

Crisis and Faith, II The Personal Life, 4 Meaning, Value and Person 2:5

Elevated Through Trials

COMMENTARY

Enduring life's challenges with love and faith can elevate you to a higher spiritual level, akin to the forefathers. The 18th-century Kabbalistic work Marpeh la'Nefesh explores the purpose of suffering and trials in one's spiritual journey.

G-d sends sufferings and other trials on a man to demonstrate whether he will scorn them or receive them with love and serve G-d with whatever G-d sends his way. Like the forefathers, whose days were full of displacements and sufferings. And likewise, for the pure and straight of every generation, they are in a state of suffering due to this reason - in order to elevate them to a higher level than the angels which are called "mighty in strength, etc." For if man had only good in this world, with what would he be worthy of all this greatness?

Marpeh la'Nefesh, Third Treatise on Service of God 9:15

The Sequential Path to Purpose

KABBALAH

The interconnectedness of fulfilling commandments is a pathway to understanding the true purpose of existence. In his 13th-century work, Abraham Abulafia explores how each mitzvah (commandment) serves as a preparatory step for the next, leading to spiritual development and enlightenment.

And behold, all the commandments that we were commanded are intended as preparatory steps for attainment because without preparation, attainment is incomplete. Without complete attainment, perfect faith is lacking, and without perfect faith, sustainable service is absent. Without lasting service, there is no enduring recompense. If there is no limit to the recompense, the created being does not fulfill the true purpose of its existence. The analogy in this is like someone who did not go to the market, did not purchase food…

Ohr HaSekhel 2:9

The Significance that Shapes Life

JEWISH THOUGHT

The significance to which a person is connected shapes the pathways of their life, elevating or lowering them based on the nature of that significance. Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, a prominent early 20th-century Jewish thinker, explores how one's connection to higher ideals or mundane concerns can profoundly influence their life's direction.

[When a person] is connected to something of significance, that paves the pathway of [his] life. If that significance is elevated and exalted, [his] pathways of life will accordingly be elevated and exalted. [But] if that significance is low and ignoble, [his] pathways of life will accordingly be low and ignoble. [At any rate], whenever [a person has] an enduring connection to some [matter of] significance, [that will create the] pathways of [his] life.

Shemonah Kevatzim 1:124:1

Achieving Perfection Through Closeness to God

CHASIDUT

The ultimate state of perfection is achieved through closeness to God, a divine promise that transcends human unworthiness. Rabbi Nathan of Breslov’s Likutei Tefilot offers deeply personal prayers that reflect the teachings of his mentor, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, emphasizing a profound, personal connection with God.

Closeness to God
Master of the world, I know that am asking a great deal of You. But You are good and do good, and You have taught us through Your Tzaddikim to pray for this very thing. You have generously promised us that You will certainly fulfill Your goals by bringing us to the ultimate state of perfection where we are close to You — in accordance with what is fitting for You, even if we are unworthy.

Likutei Tefilot, Volume I 66:4

Unveiling Divine Intentions

MUSAR

The entire creation, from the heavens to the earth, was designed for the benefit and sustenance of humanity. The medieval ethical text, Sefer HaYashar, explores the purpose of life, emphasizing the importance of recognizing God's creation and the Torah's role in guiding humanity to know God and fulfill His commandments.

A man should look at the works of the Creator, the heavens, the earth and all their host, so that he may know that all this was created for the sake of man. He should look at the luminaries and at the stars and know that all these were created to guide the children of man and to give light to them in the night, and he should thoughtfully consider the winds that blow, the clouds and the rains, and let him know that all these were created for the life of the children of man. He should thoughtfully observe every sprout, and bird of the heavens, and the creatures of the earth, the water…

Sefer HaYashar 14:3

Intrinsic Value of Good Deeds and Torah Study

TALMUD

Performing good deeds and studying Torah should be done for their intrinsic value, not for personal gain or recognition. The minor tractate Derekh Eretz Zuta offers practical wisdom and moral guidance, emphasizing humility, sincerity in good deeds, and the importance of Torah study.

Do [good] deeds for the sake of their Maker and speak of them for their own sake. Make not of them a crown wherewith to adorn yourself, an axe with which to chop or a spade with which to dig. Undertake to study the Torah [even] in straitened circumstances and disregard any insult. A well-ordered [moral] stock-taking and a virtuous adolescence [yield] security and truth.

Tractate Derekh Eretz Zuta 2:4

The Gift of Free Will

SECOND TEMPLE

Philo of Alexandria presents the idea that humans are endowed with free will to choose between good and evil, making the practice of choosing virtue a central aspect of human existence. Philo, a Hellenistic Jewish philosopher, merges Jewish theology with Greek philosophy to explore the concept of free will and deliberate choice.

[49] Thus God “had it in His mind and bethought Him” not now for the first time, but ever from of old—a thought that was fixed and steadfast—“that He had made man,” that is He thought of what nature He had made him. He had made him free and unfettered, to employ his powers of action with voluntary and deliberate choice for this purpose, that, knowing good and ill and receiving the conception of the noble and the base, and setting himself in sincerity to apprehend just and unjust and in general what belongs to virtue and what to vice…

On the Unchangeableness of God 10:5

The Transformative Power of Torah Study

MISHNAH

Engaging with the Torah for its own sake elevates an individual spiritually, morally, and intellectually, bestowing numerous virtues and divine insights. Pirkei Avot, a tractate of the Mishnah, offers ethical and moral teachings, emphasizing the virtues and benefits of studying Torah for its own sake.

The sages taught in the language of the Mishnah. Blessed be He who chose them and their teaching. Rabbi Meir said: Whoever occupies himself with the Torah for its own sake, merits many things; not only that but he is worth the whole world. He is called beloved friend; one that loves God; one that loves humankind; one that gladdens God; one that gladdens humankind. And the Torah clothes him in humility and reverence, and equips him to be righteous, pious, upright and trustworthy; it keeps him far from sin, and brings him near to merit…

Pirkei Avot 6:1

Fearing and Serving God

LITURGY

Fearing, loving, and serving God with all one's heart and soul is central to Jewish faith. This passage from Deuteronomy, included in the Jewish prayer book, emphasizes the importance of keeping God's commandments and recognizing His justice and love.

Deuteronomy 10:12-11:9
And now Israel, what does Adonoy, your God, require of you, but to fear Adonoy, your God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him and to serve Adonoy, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul. To keep the commandments of Adonoy and His decrees, which I command you this day. Behold, the heaven and the highest of heavens belong to Adonoy, your God, the earth and all that is in it. Yet only in your fathers did Adonoy delight, to love them, and He chose their offspring after them, even you among all the peoples as [it is] this day…

Siddur Sefard, Additional Prayers , Chapter of Fear of God 1

Relatedראו גם

Nature of Man and his Character Traits

Love of God

Mussar (מוּסָר )

Sheetsדפי מקורות

Related Sheets