Purpose, Torah, and Psychology

E19/2025  By Rabbi Yaakov Lieder

If you have one minute…

The Power of Purpose: Torah and Psychology

Why am I here?

This question sits at the heart of both Jewish wisdom and modern psychology.

The Torah’s answer:

The Torah tells us in Genesis 2:15: "And God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and to guard it." Even before Adam acted, he was given a mission. From the beginning, Judaism teaches that every soul is placed here with a purpose. The Baal Shem Tov adds, “A soul can come into this world for 70 or 80 years just to do one favour for another .”

An insight from psychology

Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, who survived Auschwitz, concluded: “Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear almost any ‘how.’” "Logotherapy", his system of psychotherapy, places purpose, not pleasure, as the core human need. Martin Seligman, founder of positive psychology, includes meaning as one of the five pillars of a fulfilled life. Research shows that people with a strong sense of purpose experience better mental health, live longer, and recover more quickly from hardship.

The synthesis:

Jewish thought says: “You are needed.”

Psychology says: “When you believe that, you thrive.”

Purpose gives direction to our days, depth to our struggles, and dignity to our choices.

If you have another minute…

A True Story: When Purpose Brings Healing

A man in his 40s once came to see me. He wasn’t sick in body but in spirit. “Rabbi,” he said, “I feel empty. I wake up, go to work, come home, and go to sleep. Nothing excites me. I’m just surviving.”

I asked him gently, “What gives your life meaning?

”He looked at me and said, “Meaning? I’m just trying to make it through the week.”

I opened a Chumash and showed him Genesis 2:15: “G-d placed the man in the Garden to work it and to guard it.” I explained: The Torah tells us that even before action comes intention. Man was created with a purpose.

Then I shared the saying from the Baal Shem Tov: “A soul can descend to this world for 70 or 80 years just to do one act of kindness.”

He looked up, surprised. “You mean… maybe there’s one thing I was born to do?”

“Yes,” I said. “And maybe that person you’re supposed to help is waiting for you.”

His eyes filled with tears. He walked out not with answers, but with direction. And direction is the first step to healing.

Modern psychology agrees. Viktor Frankl’s entire psychological model was built on the belief that meaning is what keeps us alive. And Seligman’s research shows that people with purpose suffer less from depression, have greater resilience, and experience deeper satisfaction.

Purpose doesn’t solve everything. But it gives everything context.

It turns wandering into walking.

Existing into living.

And pain into possibility.

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A Final Note: Youth, Purpose, and Hope

Today’s youth face unprecedented pressures, and many feel lost or invisible. Without a sense of purpose, despair can grow.

Both Torah and psychology remind us: Every soul is here for a reason. Purpose anchors us. It gives young people a reason to wake up, to try again, and to believe they matter.

Let’s remind them: They are needed. Their light is irreplaceable.

Dedicated to Tovya ben Chulda for a Refuah Shlema

For more blogs, go to https://www.jfc.org.au/blog

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To order my book, “14 Kids, no theories”, go to https://www.amazon.com/dp/0646492721