Do you exist? Well, of course you feel that you exist, but is that true or are you just a part of a projected reality?
Sound ridiculous? Possibly. But hear me out. If you are like a major majority of this country, you profess to believe in G-d. If that’s the case, consider this. G-d, in the true, essential sense – not the convenient friendly “pet” G-d that so many seem to believe in – but the Creator and Life Force of all that exists, is greater than all the words that are used to describe Him. In truth, any description or definition is a limitation and G-d cannot be limited.
All existence that we know of is defined by time and space, existence as we know it is limited. At some point this existence that we know of was not here, it had to be created, and at some point it will cease to exist. But G-d always was and always will be.
In other words, the only true existence is G-d. This is actually what the Torah says: “Ein oid milvado - there is none else besides Him.” (Deut. 4:35). If that’s the case, do we – and the entire world that we know and inhabit – actually exist?
The fact is that the Torah describes creation and we are here. The world was created; it was caused – by G-d – to exist. What possible gain is there for this created existence? What is the accomplishment of creating this world? What can possibly be the positive purpose (from G-d’s perspective) of creating this entity whose very existence seems to deny the existence of its Creator?
The entire purpose of creation – our entire purpose – is to transcend this physical world in which we live and be more G-dly. How? By doing a mitzvah. And more than that, by doing a mitzvah using a physical object. Taking a physical coin and giving it to Tzedakah (charity); transforming an ordinary piece of leather into tefillin; changing a regular bundle of wheat into matzah for Passover. By elevating an ordinary, physical part of existence into a mitzvah, we fulfill our purpose.
The power of a lamp is demonstrated by the distance its light will reach. The depths of one’s knowledge can be recognized by one’s ability to teach and share this knowledge even in the simplest form. So too, G-d's infinite greatness is best expressed when a physical object is used for a G-dly purpose.
The bottom line? Do a mitzvah like your very existence depended on it. Because it does.