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What is the purpose of life
— Serving G-d?
— Obtaining a share in the World — to — Come?
— Obtaining success?
— Expressing oneself?
— Political goals?
Depends on your hashkafa. Everyone is meant to serve Hashem, and part of each Jew’s purpose is to study Torah and fulfill mitzvos (including such “spiritual” mitzvos as loving and fearing G-d, and trusting in Him). But chassidic and kabbalistic thought teaches that each person has a particular soul correction they are also meant to achieve in this life. If a person has a strong interest in a particular mitzvah or good deed, whether it is tefillin or feeding the hungry or achieving worthwhile goals in public policy, it is possible that their life’s mission is to concentrate on that to some extent. Or if a person has a particular weakness, such as a tendency to commit a certain kind of sin or a negative character trait, then part of their purpose in life is probably to correct this behavioral pattern.
Each group within Yiddishkeit has different emphasis, leading to a different vision of what is our life’s purpose. For example, if you read the works of R’ Shalom Arush you will get a sense that attaining emunah and bitachon, and thus true happiness and character refinement, especially through hitbodedut (personal prayer in one’s own words) is one of the main purposes we should all be striving towards.
yytz:
Right On!
Man’s (specifically a Jew’s) purpose of creation was to serve his Creator (incidentally thereby obtaining a portion in the world to come). That is everyone’s hashkafa. The only difference in opinion is by which method, where to put the emphasis. (I don’t have access to Hebrew now (Rabbeinu Google), I think there’s a Passuk in Navi Yeshaya something to the effect “I created you Yisrael, a servant for me”.
And for that special opportunity, privilege we give thanks thrice daily in the great tefillah of Aleinu.
Our purpose in life is to make a dwelling place for g-d down here in this physical world. How do we do it is the question we need to ask ourselves. The simplest answer is by every individual taking advantage of his g-d given talents and using them to the fullest in spreading torah and mitzvos in a manner of leading by example and being a light onto the nations around us.
Lost1970:
It is the same Creator Who placed you originally in your position, circumstances, who understands your innermost trials, wants, urges and emotional and mental make-up. Our great Rabbis say in the Talmud, “G-d does not make tyrannical and unreasonable demands.”
He understands the need for slow steps one starting anew and afresh must take. To Him they are so precious, as dear as offering sacrifices.
Hatzlacha!!
help others…ESPECIALLY your own family that Hashem put you in
break bad midos
learn Torah and then actually keep it
and more, of course
but this alone can keep one busy
well the purpose of this word is so it can be perfected. I guess thats why we are here-to perfect it..
the purpose of living is to find out hat your purpose is
???? ???? ??? ????? ??????!!!
chani91 – You make that sound so easy. Maybe you want to help me?
Maybe you want to help us all?
Lost1970:
How should I know. There are so many other smart, intelligent individuals that frequent this fabulous place, the CR. Then, of course there are numerous organizations that do kiruv, they have the right resources to do it right. To make someone feel at home, validate their feelings, emotions. Explain Torah concepts in a way that will be understood better. Me? I wouldn’t know, else I’d too be a baal teshuva – I could sure use some teshuva.
That being said, I don’t truly get the picture (from what you’ve chosen to reveal), that you’re unobservant, or not frum in any way now. Is your problem that you feel you don’t have time or want to expend attention to Torah and mitzvhos? A lot of us (you’d call frummies) do that too. Many have degrees, professions, jobs, things they must devote their time (and lives) to. That’s the way Hashem made the world. As Medresh (Eicha) says “If I don’t work by day, I won’t eat by night”. Hashem fashioned the world just so that one must somewhat devote attention to the mundane. The only difference is how much, the balance. And that is the difference between one who has chosen to be an oved Hashem, and one who “will just do” – a practicing Jew, keeping all mitzvohs.
An oved Hashem will direct his mind constantly to HaShem ????? ?` ????? ????, and work and do the mundane the barest minimum. Others fall for the temptations of the worldly trappings, and forget the main thing, the ikkar.
To sum it up, I get the picture you’re already “here” just an additional “boost” maybe is needed.
The purpose of life is to live life with purpose
Lost1970:
Sounds like you’re describing me! I also do not work (regularly), my “work” here attests to that. And I have less than you, I don’t have any degrees to pursue. Also I’m not a writer. So you’re ahead of me.
Next. Your three options are not exclusive, as I wrote to you previously. One can be a perfectly upright, God-fearing, righteous, Jew and still pursue a degree. That is called hishtadlus. Nothing AT ALL wrong with it. Just that your motivation should be, as the Rambam says, in order to better serve the Creator. So then it’s considered as a tool for Kedusha. But that’s all for later. Now, it’s just important to know that it’s not going against Hashem’s will at all.
Do your best in your worldly endeavors, and then do your best connecting to HaShem in the Shul and bais medrash (or wherever).
Hatzlachah!!
One more thing,
If you’re mostly for seeking guidance, then know that you’ve already reached somewhere. There are others, returning members of our nation, who have made up their minds up regarding what a Jew is supposed to be, what he’s supposed to do and keep, skewed and warped hashkafos etc. (one or two even chanced by here in the past, and tried to spew their great “findings”, “revelations” before they were booted out by diligent mods). No. One who is not ready to accept the authority of a competent Rav, Rabbi, Dayan or manhig will have NO CHANCE of becoming a true observant Jew.
I don’t know who you should turn to, do your homework well. But you’re already a few steps in the right direction.
From what I’ve gathered, the purpose of life is to recognize ourselves. Who we are with both our strengths and weaknesses. Then break free of those bonds. Many of the Mitzvos bring constant awareness to what we do. Being human, many feel limited by their genetics, emotions, and background. God gave us the freedom to choose. We can choose to be ourselves, or we can choose to be greater.
Being Jewish, we are the Keepers of the Torah. Not a simple job. We have been entrusted to carry it through history. Faith has kept It alive even now. Today, we live by the words that continually expose the Torah as a blueprint for mankind.
That’s how I personally translate my Judaism, and how it defines my life.
So how does this work practically speaking for you? Find what speaks to you. If writing brings you purpose, then that should be your goal. The only one you should want to be a success for, is your Creator. I know it can be difficult when the family looks at you as a failure. The question is, do they care for your happiness, or only for your success? What use is it being at the top if you are unhappy? Still, it need not go to waste. Perhaps you can use your mathematics degree for a temporary job while you go back and train as a writer?
(I also went to college for something miserable. However, I’m hoping I can use my skills to get a decent job so I can pay my way through a degree for something more suited to me)
Life is what you make of it. I hope this can help you somewhat.
Can not, and will not are two very different things. Can not is something that just is. Will not can be changed. May I ask what it is about mathematics that makes you so unhappy?
Personally, although it is not my field of interest, I do find mathematics fascinating in it’s perfection. The incredible ways that math and science interacts constantly increase my awareness as to the amazing world Hashem has given us. So to me, math can be used to serve Hashem as well as many other subjects.
A person’s tafkid in life is to do the will of HaShem. To follow the Torah, and be a good Jew, to study torah, have a source of livelihood (parnassa), raise a family, etc.
The purpose of life is to figure out what the purpose of life is and do it.
TAOM – Maybe you could help me! You sound like you know what your talking about. Would you do me a favor and check out the thread I recently posted?
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