כָּל אִישׁ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל עָלָיו לָדַעַת, כִּי הוּא שְׁלִיחַ אֲדוֹן כֹּל, לְמַעַן הָבִיא לַפּוֹעַל — בְּכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁהוּא — רְצוֹנוֹ יִתְבָּרֵךְ וְכַוָּנָתוֹ בִּבְרִיאַת הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהֵם לְהָאִיר אֶת הָעוֹלָם בְּאוֹר תּוֹרָה וַעֲבוֹדָה, וְהוּא עַל יְדֵי קִיּוּם מִצְוֹת מַעֲשִׂיּוֹת וְהַשְׁרָשַׁת מִדּוֹת טוֹבוֹת.

Every Jew must know that wherever he may be, he is an agent of the Master of All, [charged with the mission of] actualizing G‑d’s will and intent in creating the world — to illuminate the world through the light of the Torah and Divine service. This is achieved through the performance of practical mitzvos and by inculcating [in oneself] positive character traits.1

Living as a Chassid

This teaching demands a major paradigm shift. Most of us tend to view the world from an egocentric position: “I exist, and I can derive satisfaction from the world I am in.” There are, of course, many levels to this perspective. Some people overtly take advantage of others. Other people agree to fair barter — giving in accordance with what they receive. Still others feel a sense of responsibility to G‑d and to their fellowman beyond their personal good. Yet all of these approaches share a common point: one’s identity is defined by the individual “I.”

The above teaching would define our identity differently. We do not exist for our own sakes at all; we are G‑d’s agents, charged with fulfilling the mission on which He has sent us. In the plain words of our Sages,2 “I was created solely to serve my Creator.”