Ayekah? Where are YOU?

I’m sitting at my desk at work doing the usual- e-mails, calls, paper work etc. and can’t help but feel a pang of sadness.

Today, Yud Tes Kislev, one of the most fundamental Chassidishe Yomim Tovim, is coming and going as if it were an ordinary day.

Back when I was in elementary and then onto High School such a day was far from the ordinary. Starting with us being allowed to leave our uniforms at home and come dressed in Shabbos finery, on to a day filled with programs, speakers, Farbranging and more, there was no way; no matter how “disconnected” you thought you were, to not feel the specialty of the day.

Not being in school anymore is a poor excuse to let such a day go by without doing something. Of the many beautiful stories and lessons this day has to offer one famous incident stands out that I want to share. A lesson we hear about all the time which only stresses how important it is.

“Ayekah”

In 1798, The Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, was put into prison because of the slanderous behavior of Misnagdim who strongly opposed the Rebbe. For fifty two days he sat in St. Petersburg’s prison.

As per the daily routine there, an interrogator came in one morning to ask the Rebbe some questions. Having a broad knowledge of the Bible and Jewish studies he asked the Rebbe to explain the verse (Genesis 3:9), “And G‑d called out to the man and said to him: ‘Where are you?’” 

The minister turned to the Rebbe with the obvious question- Did G‑d not know where Adam was? 

At first the Alter Rebbe tried to offer the explanation offered by several of the commentaries which explained that the question “Where are you?” was merely a “conversation opener” on the part of G‑d, who did not wish to scare Adam by immediately confronting him with his wrongdoing. 

“What Rashi says, I know,” said the minister. “I wish to hear how the Rebbe understands the verse.” 

“Do you believe that the Torah is eternal?” asked the Rebbe. “Do you believe that its every word applies to every individual, under all conditions, at all times?” 

“Yes,” replied the minister. 

The Alter Rebbe was extremely grateful to hear this. The czar’s minister had acknowledged a principle which lies at the basis of the teachings of the Baal Shem Tov, the very teachings and ideology for which he was standing trial!

The Alter Rebbe then continued, “Ayekah, where are you? Is G‑d’s eternal call to every man. 

Where are you in the world? 

What have you accomplished? 

You have been allotted a certain number of days, hours, and minutes in which to fulfill your mission in life. You have lived so many years and so many days,” (here the Alter Rebbe actually gave the exact age of the minister.) 

Where are you? What have you achieved?” 

We all so to speak are “Adam.” Hashem is constantly calling out to us and asking- Ayeka? Where are you? He knows good and well where we are but is sending us a wake up call. 

It’s easy to get caught up in such a world. 

A world filled with physicality and darkness, and the burdens of our every day routines. 

But that is no excuse. 

Each and every one of us was given a hand-picked, special mission that NO ONE but you can accomplish. 

Before such a special day comes to a close take five minutes to ask yourself, Ayekah? Where am I? 

Where am I going? 

Where should I be going? 

What can I do to get there?

 Good Yom Tov everyone!