Explore Your Unique Contribution

Letting the sun shine through your window...

Imagine standing outside a city made up of hundreds of buildings, some larger, some smaller, each one with windows to allow the natural sunlight to enter the rooms inside. 

As the sun rises, light begins to stream through window, illuminating each room.

If the curtains are drawn behind one of the windows, the settlement of buildings will still on the whole receive the light that is shining down through the other windows — but one room will remain darker than it might have been.  

Judaism teaches that the world is like this city. Hashem could have brought all of His goodness and blessings into the world directly. However, the world was set up to give each one of us the opportunity to be the conduit for some of this goodness and blessing. Hashem created the world in such as way that so much of His light is channeled *through each of us* — through our acts of empathy, our compassion, our acts of kindness, our sharing of our time, wisdom and resources and capabilities with others who need help.  

Each of us is a different window. Each of us has a different part of the world that we can focus on to bring repair and blessings. 

The purpose of this step is to looking into the exciting question: What does that look like for me? How can I best use the life, talents, opportunities, and experiences Hashem has given me to be of benefit to others?   

Hashem Wants to Love the World Through You

 

Hashem is the ultimate Giver. Every breath, every blessing, every opportunity comes from Him. Yet He often chooses to deliver His kindness *through us*.  

 

A teacher who builds confidence. A doctor who heals. A neighbour who notices pain and helps find solutions. A friend who listens. A parent who loves and guides patiently.  

 

When we contribute, we become partners with Hashem — channels through which His light flows.  

 

One of the most beautiful question you can ask is:  

 

How does Hashem want to love His world through me?

 

This shifts contribution from “becoming impressive” to “becoming available” — available to notice, to care, to help, to serve.

 

 

The World Doesn’t Need Another Copy

 

Your personality, talents, life experiences — even your most difficult struggles — are not accidents. They are clues. Even if you could be another Batman (or Batwoman), the world does not need another Batman (or Batwoman), it needs you to be the best version of you! 

 

 

Contribution does not need to be LOUD

 

Society sometimes seems to measure success by how much money, fame, or influence one has achieved. First of all, this is not a Jewish definition of success. Second of all, success doesn't need to be 'acknowledged' by others or seen on reals and pages and social media places.... 

 

True contribution often does not need to publicised or all that visible. A person quietly raising a family with love, helping neighbours privately, strengthening their community in some way without making a big noise about it may be living a life of profound impact. It is irrelevant if the 'world on some social network' sees it or not. And obviously Hashem certainly does!

 

Becoming More Like Hashem

 

Every act of generosity strengthens generosity in us. Every act of patience or forgiveness shapes our character. As much as contribution is about what we are giving and accomplishing — it is also about who we are becoming in the process.  

 

 

Following the Clues

 

Our full mission with all its applications is not generally revealed to us with a lightning bolt. Instead, we are given the resources we need, the circumstances that we need to have experienced and these are the clues or dots that when joined together reveal our opportunities. 

 

Please do the exercise below to help you tune into your contribution. Just to speak out the goal of the exercise. [1] To look at your tool box - your skills and talents and resrouces - this is what yo have to give with. [2] To identify your fuel supply or another way of saying it is your passions - the things that you love to do and can do again and again. The things that light you up and give you energy! [3] Where do you want to point your tool box and fuel supply? What that is broken in the world around you speaks to you most.  We cant fix everything. Where would you like to focus your powers to improve? Once we have that we can start to look at ways that you can contribute in a way that draws on your talents and skills and passions and makes a contribution in a way that is incredibly meaningful to you. 

 

 

Reflection

Take a few quiet minutes with with a notebook or your ELULTIME Dashboard where you'll find all of these questions ready for you and you can go back and edit them as often as you want - or print out the PDF below and when ready, write freely, without judgment.

 

1. What Has Hashem Already Given Me? (My Toolbox)  

- What comes naturally to me?  

- What do people often ask me for help with?  

- What strengths do others notice in me?  

- What skills have I developed?  

- What difficulties have I overcome that now let me help others?  

 

2. What Gives Me Life? (My Passions)  

- What could I happily spend hours doing?  

- What activities leave me energised rather than drained?  

- If money were not an issue, how would I love to spend my time?  

 

3. What Need Keeps Catching My Attention?

- What problems or injustices tug at my heart?  

- Which people do I naturally want to help?  

- What situations move me to think, “Something should be done about this”?  

 

4. What Has Hashem Already Placed in My Hands?

- Who is already in my life?  

- What responsibilities, relationships, or opportunities are right in front of me?  

 

Your current responsibilities are not obstacles to contribution — they are often the very heart of it. A parent raising children with love, a child honouring aging parents, a person caring for their own health and integrity — these are sacred contributions. Hashem does not ask the same things from us at every stage of life.

The Neshama Behind the Dream

 

Many of us carry beautiful dreams — starting a school, building a centre, transforming a community — only to set them aside when reality hits: lack of time, money, qualifications, or current responsibilities.  

 

But perhaps we have been asking the wrong question.  

 

Instead of “Can I achieve this exact dream?” ask:  

What is the *neshama* (deeper soul/heartbeat) behind the dream?

 

- The person who dreams of an island for orphaned children may truly long for children to feel safe, loved, and valued.  

- The person who dreams of transforming Jewish education may long to help souls grow closer to Hashem.  

- The person who dreams of ending loneliness may long to make others feel seen.  

 

Once you discover the neshama, you will usually find many ways to express it — even in what someone might think of as 'smaller' applications, although, maybe they arent smaller at all.

 

Reflection

Choose one dream you have carried. Write down:  

What is the deeper longing behind it?  

What is one realistic way I can begin expressing that same neshama in the coming months?

 

Hashem does not ask us to complete the work, only not to neglect our part (Pirkei Avot 2:16). Small, authentic contributions offered with love are never small in Heaven’s eyes.

 

 

Taking the Next Step

 

You do not need to figure out the entire enchilada today. Hashem usually gives us enough light for the next step.

 

Additional Reflection

Review everything you have written.  

 

- Place a ★ next to ideas that speak to your heart.  

- Place ★★ next to those you could realistically explore soon.  

 

One powerful clarifying question:

Imagine no one would ever thank you or know what you did. No recognition, no praise. What would you still want to do?  

 

This helps separate ego from true purpose.

 

Don’t wait until you have it all figured out.

Purpose is discovered while walking — by trying, serving, reflecting, and adjusting. Your contribution will evolve as you grow. What stays constant is the person you are becoming: a giver, a channel for Hashem’s goodness.

 

A Final Thought

 

One day, when we stand before Hashem, He may not ask why we were not more like someone else. (Reb .... story - Why weren't you )  He may gently ask:  

 

“Did you become the person I created you to become? Did you use the gifts I gave you? Did you care for the people and opportunities I placed in your hands? Did you faithfully express the neshama I placed inside you?”  

 

None of us can do everything. We are simply asked to do *our* part — faithfully, with whatever we have today.  

 

Your contribution is not about becoming important. It is about becoming available, invested, other focused. 

 

There is kindness only you can show. There is encouragement only you can give. There are lives that will be different — perhaps for generations — because you were here.  

 

You do not need to understand the full oportunties or fullest manifestation of what you can achieve. You only need to take the next meaningful step. Then another. And another.  

 

One conversation. One act of kindness. One mitzvah performed with intention.  

 

Hashem wants to love His world through you. Open up the curtains of your window even more and let the light shine through.

 

Whether We Realise It or Not, We Already Have an Answer

Most people don’t wake up each morning asking, “Why am I here?” Yet every one of us is already living according to some answer. The way we spend our time, the goals we pursue, the sacrifices we’re willing to make and the things we refuse to compromise on all reveal what we believe life is ultimately about.

The real question isn’t whether we have an answer. It’s whether we’ve ever stopped to examine it.

Why Is Anything Here at All?

Judaism teaches that the source of all existence created the world for one reason: to give. Not because anything was lacking, and not because Hashem needed anything, but because perfect goodness naturally desires to share goodness. Creation itself began as an act of giving.

But if Hashem wanted to give us goodness, why didn’t He simply hand it to us?

Why Am I Here?

Judaism answers that the greatest good isn’t something that’s simply received—it’s something that’s earned.

Imagine a footballer playing in a cup final. His legs are burning, he’s exhausted, and every muscle aches—yet he has never felt more alive. Why? Because every minute on that field has been earned. The struggle gives the victory its meaning.

Life works in much the same way. According to Judaism, we weren’t created simply to receive goodness. We were created to become the kind of people who are worthy of receiving it.

That’s why the world is unfinished. We’ve been invited to help complete it. Every challenge is an opportunity to contribute something that only we can contribute.

You’re not just building the world.

The world is building you.

 

Why Do My Choices Matter?

Human beings are unique because we’ve been given the ability to choose. Every day we decide whether to give or take, forgive or hold on to resentment, speak or remain silent, do what’s right or settle for what’s comfortable.

Every choice changes two things at the same time: it changes the world around us, and it changes us.

You make your choices, and then your choices make you.

Every generous act strengthens generosity. Every honest conversation strengthens integrity. Character isn’t simply something we’re born with; it’s something we build.

Why Does This Ring True?

Have you ever achieved something you thought would finally make you happy, only to discover the feeling faded? Or spent an evening scrolling through your phone and somehow felt emptier afterwards?

Judaism suggests these experiences remind us that we were created for something deeper than comfort, entertainment or distraction. Pleasure is wonderful—but it isn’t enough. We don’t simply want enjoyable lives. We want meaningful ones. Deep down, we want our lives to matter.

What’s Pulling Me in the Wrong Direction?

Deep inside every person is a desire to be good, to matter and to make a difference. When that desire isn’t nourished, we often settle for substitutes—approval, recognition, status, image and comfort. Those things may satisfy us for a while, but they never fully satisfy because what we’re really searching for is purpose.

What Does Living with Purpose Look Like?

Purpose is usually found in ordinary moments. Showing up for people. Keeping your word. Doing your work with integrity. Helping someone who can’t repay you. Being kind when nobody notices.

According to Judaism, these aren’t distractions from your purpose—they are your purpose.

Every one of us has been given gifts that someone else needs. Your purpose isn’t simply about becoming a better person. It’s also about becoming someone who leaves the people around you better because you were here.

Do I Have to Figure This Out Alone?

No.

If life has purpose, it makes sense that we’d need guidance to discover it. The Torah isn’t simply a collection of laws. It’s a blueprint for becoming the people we were created to be. Every mitzvah doesn’t merely tell us what to do—it helps us become who we’re meant to be.

What Do the Mitzvot Do?

Every mitzvah changes both the world and the person who performs it. Returning lost property builds honesty. Giving charity builds generosity. Honouring parents builds gratitude. Choosing patience builds patience.

The world and the self are one project. As you help repair the world, the world helps shape you. As you become a better person, you’re able to contribute even more to the world around you.

Does My Life Really Matter?

Absolutely.

Nobody else has your combination of strengths, struggles, opportunities and relationships. There is goodness that only you can bring into the world. The world will continue after every one of us—but it won’t be exactly the same world it could have been because you were here.

Can I Leave This Until Later?

Life doesn’t last forever. Every day the urgent competes with the important—notifications, entertainment, work and deadlines.

Think about the conversation you’ve been meaning to have, the relationship you’ve wanted to repair, or the act of kindness you’ve been putting off. Every day we postpone what truly matters is a day we can never recover.

What If I’m Nowhere Near Where I Should Be?

Judaism doesn’t ask whether you’re perfect. It asks whether you’re moving.

Hashem doesn’t measure where you stand on the ladder. He measures how many steps you’ve climbed from where you began.

The question isn’t, “Am I in or out?” It’s, “Am I facing the right direction?” and “What’s one step I can take today?”

Teshuvah literally means “return.” We all wander. The important thing is that we keep returning.

What If I’m Not Convinced?

That’s okay.

You don’t have to pretend to believe something you don’t. Read with curiosity. Question respectfully. Think deeply.

If the Torah’s understanding of life is true, then it should be able to withstand honest questions. And if you’re genuinely searching for truth, then every sincere question is part of that journey.

So why are we here?

According to the Torah, we’re here to become the people Hashem created us to be. We’re here to use the gift of free choice wisely. We’re here to build ourselves while helping build a better world.

No one else can make your choices. No one else can fulfil your unique role.

Your life matters.

Your choices matter.

You don’t have to change your whole life today. Just take the next meaningful step. Then another. Because that’s how meaningful lives are built—one choice, one act of kindness, one mitzvah, one week and one step at a time.

That’s why you’re here.

Continue Exploring

If this article raised more questions than it answered, that’s a good thing. The search for truth deserves careful thought.

There may be different ways people answer life’s biggest questions. Our encouragement is simple: keep asking honest questions, keep searching sincerely, and follow the evidence wherever it leads.

As mentioned, if you would like to look briefly at evidence for the world being created and the authenticity of the Torah, please check out: XXXX

Otherwise, the next step on our journey takes us to look at our unique reason for being here - at least from the perspective of our contribution. -> Continue