Why ask why?

Hi,

"One should be content and not have his thoughts confused, seeking that [ultimate] purpose, or seeking the purpose of that which has no purpose other than its own existence, which is by Divine desire – or Divine wisdom, if you prefer."

(Rambam, Moreh haNevuchim 3:13)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The essence of a person's existence

Hi,

"The essence of a person's existence in this world is to develop wisdom, that he might recognize his Creator."

(Sefer haChinuch, Mitzvah 257)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

The purpose of our existence

Hi,

Worth repeating, in the run-up to Yom Kippur:

"My father always used to rebuke me, as he saw that I would not take part in the pain of others.

"This is what he always told me: 'This is a person's entire purpose. A person is not created for himself. A person is created only to benefit others, with whatever power is in his possession.'"

(R' Yitzchak of Volozhin, citing his father Rav Chaim of Volozhin, Introduction to Nefesh haChaim)

Gmar tov,
Mordechai

Yonah and the soul

Hi,

"This prophet hints at the human soul, as is stated in the Zohar (2:199a).

"Gd sends it to this world to improve the world. Instead, not only does it not repair, but it corrupts itself as well. After that Gd sends it into a second incarnation to repair, and it repairs, but in pain over its bad fate, as will be explained in this book."

(Vilna Gaon, Introduction to Yonah)

גמר חתימה טובה, May we be sealed for a great new year,
Mordechai

Our purpose in this world

Hi,

"My father always used to rebuke me, as he saw that I would not take part in the pain of others.

"This is what he always told me: 'This is a person's entire purpose. A person is not created for himself. A person is created only to benefit others, with whatever power is in his possession."

(Rabbi Yitzchak, son of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, in his preface to Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin's "Nefesh haChaim")

Have a great day,
Mordechai