Like there's a piece of the puzzle missing, and finding it is somehow... your job?
Well, according to Da'at Tevunot, a profound work of Jewish thought, that feeling might be spot on. It gets to the heart of our purpose in this world, and it all starts with the "Heavenly Will." What does it want for us?
The core idea, as the Intellect explains in Da'at Tevunot 14, is that we're meant to complete ourselves, and, in doing so, also complete everything that was created for us. It's a powerful concept. Not just ourselves, but the whole world around us!
And here's the kicker: that very act of completion, that striving, that's our merit and our reward. a little. Our merit, our zechut, comes from the fact that we actually engage in this process of self-completion. We occupy ourselves with it. We struggle, we learn, we grow. And when we finally reach that completeness, when we achieve that state of shleimut, we benefit directly from what we've created with our own two hands, with our own effort. It's not handed to us; it's earned.
It is the fruit of our labor, our amal.
But wait, there's more! It's not just about the work; it's about the outcome. Our reward, our sakhar, is that in the end, we become that which is completed. We ourselves are transformed. We evolve. We become vessels capable of experiencing goodness, tov, forever. That's a pretty significant payoff. So, what does it mean to "complete ourselves"? It's not about perfection, not about some unattainable ideal. It's about realizing our potential, about becoming the best version of ourselves that we can be. It is the unfolding of our koach, our potential.
And what about completing "all that was created for him"? That's where it gets really interesting. Does that mean we each have a unique role to play in fixing the world, in bringing it closer to its intended state of harmony? Perhaps. Maybe it's about recognizing the interconnectedness of everything, and understanding that our actions, our choices, have a ripple effect that extends far beyond ourselves.
Da'at Tevunot offers a powerful vision. It frames our existence as an ongoing journey of self-discovery and world-betterment. It suggests that the very act of striving, of working towards completion, is what gives our lives meaning and purpose. And it promises that the ultimate reward is not just some external prize, but a fundamental transformation of our very being, allowing us to experience unending goodness.
What do you think? Are you ready to embrace the challenge, to embark on this journey of completion? Because, according to this ancient wisdom, the world—and your own soul—is waiting.