The Bar Mitzvah boy who discovered life's real purpose

Picture this: Josh just celebrated his Bar Mitzvah, and he's staring at his brand-new electric piano. Nice gift, right? But Josh can't shake his disappointment — he was expecting something else. Maybe a drone. Or that fancy XR7 AI Robot his uncle mentioned.

Sound familiar? Whether we're thirteen or thirty-three, we've all been there. That nagging feeling that if we just had that one thing, we'd finally be happy. Josh's story, beautifully captured in Torah Live's interactive exploration of life's purpose, reveals something profound about why Hashem chose us — and it has nothing to do with getting the perfect gift.

When everything we want still leaves us empty

Josh's wise Siddur poses the question that stops everyone in their tracks: "Why are you alive?" It's the kind of question most people spend their whole lives avoiding, because honestly? It's a little scary.

The Siddur walks Josh through the progression we all know too well. As kids, we live for candy. Then toys. Then computers, cars, houses — an endless cycle of wanting the next big thing. But here's what hits hard: "After you have everything, then what?"

This isn't just a teenage problem. Adults chase promotions, dream homes, vacation destinations, thinking each achievement will finally answer that deep question: What am I doing here? Yet even when we get everything on our list, that restless feeling remains.

The Gemara that changes everything

Then comes the game-changer. The Siddur shares a teaching from the Gemara that sounds almost too bold to believe: "Bishvili nivra ha'olam" — The whole world was created for me.

Stop and let that sink in. Every tree, every flower, every star in the sky — all of it exists for you. Not in an egotistical way, but in the most humbling way imaginable. Hashem, who is infinite and needs absolutely nothing, chose to create this entire magnificent world... for you.

Think about it: Hashem didn't need our service. He doesn't require our Tefillin or our Shabbos meals to complete Himself somehow. He's perfect without us. So why did He create us? Why did He choose the Jewish people?

Because Hashem is, by definition, a giver. And the ultimate gift He wanted to give was existence itself — consciousness, free will, the ability to connect with the infinite. He chose us not because we're better than anyone else, but because He wanted partners in perfecting this world.

What Hashem really wants from you

Here's where Josh's story gets personal for all of us. His Siddur asks him to imagine his own funeral. Morbid? Maybe. But also incredibly clarifying.

"Harry loved cigars," they said at one funeral. "Whenever you saw Harry, he had a cigar and a newspaper. That made him happy." The Siddur imagines Harry thinking, "Think of something else!"

We all want to be remembered for living a great life. The problem is, most people don't know what a great life actually is. So instead of living the life they really want, they live the life that just... happens.

Hashem chose us to live deliberately. To ask the hard questions. To recognize that every moment is an opportunity to connect with the infinite, to bring more light into the world, to use our unique gifts in service of something greater than ourselves.

Your roadmap for purposeful living

Ready to move beyond the endless cycle of wanting more stuff? Here are concrete steps you can take today:

Write your ideal eulogy: Seriously, do what Josh's Siddur suggested. Write down what you want people to say at your funeral. Not your accomplishments or possessions, but the impact you made. This exercise cuts through all the noise and clarifies what actually matters to you.

Practice daily gratitude with Hashem in mind: Each morning, look around and remember: "Bishvili nivra ha'olam." That sunrise? For you. Your family's laughter? For you. Your ability to learn Torah? For you. Let this awareness infuse your day with purpose.

Ask "What does Hashem want from me right now?": Before making decisions — big or small — pause and consider: How can this choice help me fulfill my purpose as one of Hashem's chosen people? Sometimes it's as simple as speaking kindly to someone who's having a rough day.

Focus on giving rather than getting: When you catch yourself in "I want" mode, flip the question: "What can I give?" This instantly connects you to Hashem's essential nature as the ultimate giver.

Study with intention: Whether it's Torah, Mishnah, or ethical works, approach your learning by asking: "How does this help me understand why Hashem chose me?" Learning becomes less about accumulating knowledge and more about deepening your relationship with your Creator.

The Three Weeks and finding your way back

Josh's journey from disappointment to purpose perfectly captures what the Three Weeks are all about. We mourn not just the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, but the spiritual darkness that comes when we lose sight of why we're here.

During this period of reflection, we have the opportunity to ask Josh's question in our own lives: What am I really here for? The answer isn't found in our possessions or achievements, but in recognizing that Hashem chose us to be His partners in healing the world.

Every day until Tisha B'Av, we can practice focusing on our true purpose. When we align our daily choices with the reason Hashem created us, we begin to understand what it really means to be chosen.

Just like Josh discovered that his Bar Mitzvah wasn't about getting the perfect gift, we can discover that our lives aren't about accumulating things — they're about becoming the people Hashem envisioned when He chose us to be His nation.

Ready to explore these life-changing concepts with your whole family? Torah Live's engaging videos and interactive challenges make these profound ideas accessible and fun for everyone. Join thousands of families who are discovering that the most important questions in life deserve the most thoughtful exploration. Your journey from darkness to light starts with understanding why Hashem chose you.