What is the purpose of Judaism?

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What is the purpose of Judaism?

by Rabbi Tzvi Shapiro

G-d created a world. G-d created its inhabitants. G-d interacts with His creation, and even "visits" it occasionally. But generally speaking, "the heavens are heavens of the L-rd, and the earth He gave to the children of humans".¹

G-d is obviously not a physical entity. G-d has no dimensions. G-d is everywhere, and nowhere is devoid of G-d. But we speak here of being aware of G-d, of feeling G-d's presence, of seeing the world through His eyes, and living life according to His objectives. And it that sense G-d does not reside in our world.

Every time we follow a Torah directive G-d’s objective becomes the nucleus of our life.

Enter Judaism. The purpose of Judaism is to allow G-d to enter this - His - world, by transcending the myth that it is "our world". At first in baby steps. Every time we fulfill a Mitzvah it creates an awareness of G-d. Every time we study Torah G-d's presence is manifest in this world. Every time we follow a Torah directive G-d’s objective becomes the nucleus of our life.

Ultimately G-d doesn't just want to "stop in from time to time", He wants to stay. He is not content with a moment of inspiration or a fleeting miracle. Nor is He satisfied with a warm welcome from a select few, or the rare oasis conducive for spirituality. G-d yearns for a time when His presence will be felt at every moment, through every act, by every person, in every place.

Thus the collective fulfillment of Judaism will bring about a time when G-d will no longer visit this world.

Because He will reside here.²

Footnotes

1. Psalm 115:16
2. Based on a Chassidic discourse by Rabbi Yosef Y. Schneerson; Basi L'Gani 1950

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