I’m writing a program for my students about the meaning of life. I remember hearing of explanation of the purpose of life as:
1. Each jew is given a certain area of the earth in which they have to protect and cleanse
2. That when the earth was being created the angels sprinkled holiness around the whole into everything and the Jew needs to return them back to their home.
Are either of these true and if so if there is anywhere i can research these concepts.
Thank you for writing. This is a great question and I wish more teachers would ask questions like this before teaching something of this importance. If you are really interested in the topic for yourself I highly suggest getting a book called “The Way of God” by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato. It was written over a couple hundred years ago and is the layman’s book to understanding these highly spiritual and complicated issues. It has been translated into English and you can get it by going to this link.
In terms of your question for children, I will answer it according to the order that you asked:
1. You write that “Each jew is given a certain area of the earth in which they have to
protect and cleanse…” That may be true, but the purpose of life is not to cleanse the world. The purpose of life is to get closer to The Source (God). One way a person can do that is by taking care of God’s creations on this Earth. I am sure that you understand the difference between those two statements.
2. With regards to sprinkling holiness: This is a very nice idea. Again, however, it does not reflect the purpose of creation. It simply reflects (truthfully so) the way that we have to get closer to our personal spirituality and to God, Himself. Our job is in fact to return the kindness and compassion that God gives to us through the act of creation and constant assistance by doing Mitzvos, God’s commandments, and good deeds, acts of chesed. Therefore, you are right, that returning God’s holiness to the world and to Him is the way that we can achieve our ultimate purpose. Judaism teaches us that the way we do that is by following the Torah.
For further sources, please get that book! I cannot stress how clear it presents the information about almost every aspect of spirituality and growth. Please get it and you will be uplifted to a new dimension. In the book it gives sources for everything as well.
Be Well,
Rabbi Litt