A once-wealthy Jew who had lost his entire fortune came to see a Holy Rebbe. “If G-d has chosen to afflict me with poverty,” he wept, “I accept the Divine judgement. But how can I be reconciled with the fact that I cannot repay my debts? That I am unable to meet the dowry I promised for my daughter’s upcoming marriage? Never have I reneged on my commitments. Why is the Almighty doing this to me? , Why is He causing me such terrible humiliation?
“Rebbe!” cried the chassid, “I must repay my debts! I must give what I have promised for my daughter!”
The Rebbe sat with his head in his arms in a state of d’veikut (meditative attachment to G-d). In this manner he listened to the man’s tearful pleas. After a long while, the Rebbe lifted his head and said with great feeling: “You seem much preoccupied with what you need. Why aren’t you as concerned over what it is that you are needed for…?”
The Torah informs us that our life purpose is found right under our noses, in the life and circumstances that God gave to us. We need not look beyond our own surroundings to start thinking, “what am I needed for?!” From here, we start living with passion, focus and purpose. Shabbat Shalom!