Description: Clarifying the Purpose of Life 01Bilvavi Mishkan Evneh
Volume I Pages 5-7
We will now begin learning the first chapter of the sefer which is titled, ‘Birur Tachlis Hachayim,’ Clarifying the Purpose of Life. This corresponds to the first chapter of Mesilas Yesharim which begins, ‘Biur klal chovas ha’adam b’olamo,’ explanation of the sum purpose of a person in ‘his’ world. The key word here being – ‘b’olamo,’ in each person’s personal world – each one of us has to identify their unique purpose in the world, yet the general guidelines that apply to everyone can be learned. I won’t necessarily quote the sefer exactly as written, and at times I’ll add to elucidate, but I will attempt to stay true to the content.
There is one question every single Jew, truthfully every single human being must ask to themselves. What does Hashem want from me?
That question must immediately be followed by another question, if we are to be honest with ourselves: Does it really bother me? Do I really want to know? Why or why not?
Here’s an eye-opening statement: The primary task of a person's Avodas Hashem is to identify the purpose of their life. To achieve full clarity as to what it is Hashem asks of them.
Every Jew knows, as a matter of course, that there is a Creator who created the world, including oneself. He also sustains the entire world, including oneself. If He created us there is something He expects of us. The problem we all face though, is that question itself – what does Hashem want from me? What exactly does Hashem ask and expect me to do in my life?
But wait, you’ll say, “Don’t you know that we have a Torah given to us from Heaven? We have already received the Torah, which explains that man's purpose throughout his life is to fulfill the 613 mitzvos!"
Yes of course, everyone has to keep the 613 mitzvos. But Avodas Hashem is not merely the fulfillment of unrelated mitzvos whenever they present themselves. Rather, the ‘taryag’ mitzvos work together to create a ‘binyan’, an edifice. The mitzvos are all individual components of a person. Think how they represent the different components of the body – 248 limbs and organs, and 365 veins and sinews. Those all work together to form one complete and perfect human. Likewise, with all of the mitzvos together, we can ‘build’ a person out of ourselves! But how do they all work together? What does Sukkah have to do with tefillin? Krias Shemah with Maror? How do we change and grow with the fulfillment of these mitzvos?
There must be a clearly defined method of fulfilling the mitzvos, so that they work together in an organized, structured form, to fulfill this goal – of building ourselves. We need to clarify, how do we begin laying the foundation, how do we lay layer upon layer, and what is the end goal of fulfilling all the mitzvos?
Which one of the 613 mitzvos should we start with? Of course, there are daily mitzvos such as Shemah, Tefillah, Tefillin or Shabbos, all the ones that have set times and applications. Those we do as they come to us. But when approaching the whole category of mitzvos which are Avodas HaLeiv, the task of building our hearts, our neshamah, like the mitzvah to love Hashem, the mitzvah to fear Him, and another mitzvah of ‘devaikus’ to Hashem, as it says ‘u’ledavkah bo,’ and many such mitzvos, how do we approach them? Where do we begin?
The world is called ‘olam,’ which is derived from the word ‘he'elem,’ concealed, because in this world, there is tremendous confusion. It is ratzon Hashem that as long as we don’t try and work very hard to ascertain precisely, "Mah Hashem Elokechah sho’ail ma’imach,’ What does Hashem, your G-d, seek from you," (Devarim 10:12), we won’t find out! Our life will progress with confusion and obscurity, and we won’t have a method of how to serve Hashem. Not knowing the correct order, is a state of he'elem. When there is he'elem, it is difficult to attain the goal of the mitzvos.
Volume I Pages 5-7
We will now begin learning the first chapter of the sefer which is titled, ‘Birur Tachlis Hachayim,’ Clarifying the Purpose of Life. This corresponds to the first chapter of Mesilas Yesharim which begins, ‘Biur klal chovas ha’adam b’olamo,’ explanation of the sum purpose of a person in ‘his’ world. The key word here being – ‘b’olamo,’ in each person’s personal world – each one of us has to identify their unique purpose in the world, yet the general guidelines that apply to everyone can be learned. I won’t necessarily quote the sefer exactly as written, and at times I’ll add to elucidate, but I will attempt to stay true to the content.
There is one question every single Jew, truthfully every single human being must ask to themselves. What does Hashem want from me?
That question must immediately be followed by another question, if we are to be honest with ourselves: Does it really bother me? Do I really want to know? Why or why not?
Here’s an eye-opening statement: The primary task of a person's Avodas Hashem is to identify the purpose of their life. To achieve full clarity as to what it is Hashem asks of them.
Every Jew knows, as a matter of course, that there is a Creator who created the world, including oneself. He also sustains the entire world, including oneself. If He created us there is something He expects of us. The problem we all face though, is that question itself – what does Hashem want from me? What exactly does Hashem ask and expect me to do in my life?
But wait, you’ll say, “Don’t you know that we have a Torah given to us from Heaven? We have already received the Torah, which explains that man's purpose throughout his life is to fulfill the 613 mitzvos!"
Yes of course, everyone has to keep the 613 mitzvos. But Avodas Hashem is not merely the fulfillment of unrelated mitzvos whenever they present themselves. Rather, the ‘taryag’ mitzvos work together to create a ‘binyan’, an edifice. The mitzvos are all individual components of a person. Think how they represent the different components of the body – 248 limbs and organs, and 365 veins and sinews. Those all work together to form one complete and perfect human. Likewise, with all of the mitzvos together, we can ‘build’ a person out of ourselves! But how do they all work together? What does Sukkah have to do with tefillin? Krias Shemah with Maror? How do we change and grow with the fulfillment of these mitzvos?
There must be a clearly defined method of fulfilling the mitzvos, so that they work together in an organized, structured form, to fulfill this goal – of building ourselves. We need to clarify, how do we begin laying the foundation, how do we lay layer upon layer, and what is the end goal of fulfilling all the mitzvos?
Which one of the 613 mitzvos should we start with? Of course, there are daily mitzvos such as Shemah, Tefillah, Tefillin or Shabbos, all the ones that have set times and applications. Those we do as they come to us. But when approaching the whole category of mitzvos which are Avodas HaLeiv, the task of building our hearts, our neshamah, like the mitzvah to love Hashem, the mitzvah to fear Him, and another mitzvah of ‘devaikus’ to Hashem, as it says ‘u’ledavkah bo,’ and many such mitzvos, how do we approach them? Where do we begin?
The world is called ‘olam,’ which is derived from the word ‘he'elem,’ concealed, because in this world, there is tremendous confusion. It is ratzon Hashem that as long as we don’t try and work very hard to ascertain precisely, "Mah Hashem Elokechah sho’ail ma’imach,’ What does Hashem, your G-d, seek from you," (Devarim 10:12), we won’t find out! Our life will progress with confusion and obscurity, and we won’t have a method of how to serve Hashem. Not knowing the correct order, is a state of he'elem. When there is he'elem, it is difficult to attain the goal of the mitzvos.