Finding Peace and Purpose: Lessons from Reb Nosson Stein's Journey Through COVID

Have you ever wondered what your true purpose is and how to find peace in fulfilling it? Join us for an enlightening exploration inspired by the teachings of Rav Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, as we tackle the profound questions of our existence. We share the moving story of Reb Nosson Stein, a revered Rosh Hashiva who found tranquility even when faced with the prospect of death during the COVID pandemic. His story, recounted by Elisha Balaban and Rabbi Avi Machten, exemplifies the deep contentment that comes from living a life aligned with one's mission, regardless of the outcome.

This episode challenges you to reflect on your own life's purpose and the obligations you hold in this world. Discussing themes of effort over results and the spiritual skyscraper you can build through introspection, we aim to inspire you to clarify your own path. Embrace the journey of discovering what you are meant to bring to the world, and find the serenity that comes with knowing you are striving towards your true calling. Join us as we encourage you to ponder your soul’s mission and how it shapes your existence.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:01

I find it to be abominable and atrocious that most of us can't answer the question that the entire point of life seesaws upon, and that is that the root of perfect service and the foundation of true piety is built upon a person clarifying and verifying what his obligation in his world is. Why did the Almighty send our soul down to this earth? What does he want from us? What are we supposed to bring to the world? That's how Ramosha Chaim Luzzatto starts his magnum opus off with a bang. Let me tell you just hopefully, a quick story that will shed some light on the importance of really sitting down to take a minute with a pen and paper and ask yourself why am I in this world and what is my obligation to my world? It all happens, transpire really. Two or three years ago, during the horrible COVID pandemic, we were all crying bitter tears, but hopeful tears that our great Rosh Hashiva Reb Nosson Stein, the general, should pull through, even though he's got a terrible case of the COVID sickness, the COVID germ. The doctors, they told him that we may have to put you on a ventilator, so you may want to say some final goodbyes. I heard this story from Alicia Balaban, who heard it from Rabbi Avi Machten. We were all crying and praying and we can't imagine a life without our leader. Life would be Toshas Choy, shechvii Hilayla without him. And right before they put him on a ventilator, they had one last chance at a different technique of something. And sure enough, he pulled through, recovered, lived to tell the tale and back better than ever, and he should continue to live with strength, happiness, resilience and health until 120.

Speaker 1: 2:23

But after he recovered, avim Akdam had a chance to ask him Rabbi, what was it like to be lying on your deathbed? What were you feeling about? To perhaps meet your creator? And he said you should know I was at peace with it. I believe that God put me in this world, said the Rosh Hashiva, rabnav Sinstein Shlita to build an institution that teaches Yerushalayim and inspires young gentlemen to become Tamidei, chachamim and God-fearing Jews. And I spent my life trying to accomplish that mission, and now maybe I'll die trying, but he had peace with me.

Speaker 1: 3:09

Could you imagine, ladies and gentlemen, that feeling, that tranquil, deep contentment that our great Rosh Hashiva showed and that we all probably must be encouraged to try to figure out? What is it that God really wants of us, that you could be lying there on your deathbed. God forbid and have peace with it, because you really know what you're supposed to do in life and you've tried your life to accomplish that. And God doesn't care about results, he cares about your effort and trying to accomplish your mission in your world. Take a moment, think about it. Why did God give you a soul? What is your chuvah soba olamo? And upon that foundation of clarifying and verifying that idea and that outlook on life, now you can begin to build a skyscraper worth of Yerushalayim and Talmud Torah.