Every person, in every place, in every generation

what is the meaning of life?

What Is the Meaning of Life? Have you ever wondered why we are here? We all want to live meaningful lives. We seek love, truth, happiness, and the opportunity to make a difference. But perhaps the deepest question is not only what we want from life, but what life itself is asking of us. According to the Torah, the universe has a Creator, and human life has a purpose. We are not here merely to exist, but to choose good, act responsibly, and bring goodness into the world. What Does It Mean to Believe in One God? In the teachings of Chassidism, God is not merely the Creator who brought the universe into existence long ago. God is the source of all existence at every moment. Everything depends on Him for its continued existence. This does not mean that the world is an illusion. Rather, it means that the world is real, but it is not independent of its Creator. What Does It Mean That the World Is Not Independent of Its Creator? It means that the world and everything within it depend on the Creator's power at every single moment to continue existing. In Judaism, this concept is known as the continuous renewal of creation. Unlike a carpenter who builds a table and can walk away without the table disappearing, creation cannot exist for even a single moment without the divine power that continually sustains it. According to Chassidic philosophy, especially the teachings of Tanya, creation is not merely a past event. God's creative power continuously brings all existence into being. Three Key Ideas to Understand This Concept 1. Continuous Renewal According to Chassidic philosophy, the divine power that created the world ex nihilo — out of nothing — must continually sustain it. If this creative power were withdrawn, creation could not continue to exist. 2. How This Differs from Deism Deism presents the idea of a Creator who brings the universe into existence and then allows it to operate independently, much like a watchmaker who builds a watch and sets it in motion. Chassidic philosophy teaches something different: the Creator does not merely initiate the universe. His creative power sustains existence at every moment. 3. The Complete Dependence of Creation Creation depends entirely on the Creator for its existence. The Creator does not depend on anything else, whereas everything created depends on Him. This understanding invites us to see the world not as something that exists independently, but as a reality that is continually sustained by its divine source. How Does This Understanding Change the Way We Live? If everything depends on the Creator, life takes on a deeper meaning. Every person matters. Our choices matter. Our actions can make a difference. Doing good is not merely a personal preference; it can be understood as part of our purpose in the world. The Torah teaches that there is one Creator of heaven and earth. God is not a physical object, a human being, or one power among many competing powers. The Creator is the source of all existence and is not limited by the physical universe. We can deepen our understanding of the Creator through Torah teachings, reflection on creation, and consideration of our moral responsibilities. A Point to Think About If there is one Creator, should any created thing be treated as a god? This question invites us to reflect on the difference between the Creator and creation, and on where we place our trust, devotion, and sense of ultimate purpose. What Does Tanya Teach About the Renewal of Creation? According to Tanya, Shaar HaYichud VehaEmunah, Chapters 1–2, creation is not simply an event that happened in the distant past. God's creative power continually sustains all existence. The Chassidic teachings explain that if the divine life-force sustaining a created thing were withdrawn, that thing could not continue to exist. This does not mean that God and the physical world are simply identical. Rather, the world is a creation whose existence depends entirely on God. Awareness of this relationship can encourage humility, gratitude, responsibility, and a deeper sense of purpose. The teachings explain that even seemingly inanimate matter continually depends on the divine life-force that brings it into existence. Further reading: Read Tanya, Chapter 1 A Simple Analogy: A Lamp and Its Light Imagine a lamp that shines because it receives electricity. The light depends on a continuing source of energy; it does not sustain itself independently. In a similar way, Chassidic teachings explain that creation continually depends on its Creator. Of course, this is only an analogy to help us understand the idea. It is not a complete explanation of the relationship between God and creation. A Question Worth Asking If everything depends on the Creator, how might we relate differently to the world? If everything depends on the Creator, we can relate to the world with faith, humility, and gratitude. Instead of seeing ourselves as having complete control over our lives, we can recognize that we are part of something greater and that everything we have is a gift. We can learn to accept what we cannot change while acting responsibly where we can make a difference. We can treat every person and everything in the world with greater respect, love, and compassion. Most importantly, we can begin to see everyday life as an opportunity to fulfill our purpose: to choose good, help others, and bring more goodness and meaning into the world. Perhaps the meaning of life begins when we recognize that existence itself is a gift — and that we have a responsibility to use that gift wisely.