"Where Are You?" - Y. Kippur Meditation

B"H

In the yr. 1800, the founder of Chabad Chassidism, Rabbi Shneur Zalman
of Liadi (ca.1745-1812), was arrested on false charges of treason in
Russia,
and spent nearly a yr. in a St. Petersburg prison. During this stay,
many ministers & high ranking officials (knowing the holy Rebbe's
stature & great knowledge)
spent much time asking Q's to the 'Alter Rebbe.' There was one
minister who happened to have a thorough knowledge of the Torah, even
though he wasn't Jewish. One night he approached the Alter Rebbe in
his cell, and asked: "It says in Genesis, that after Adam sinned
through eating the forbidden fruit, he hid. G-d then Called to him
'Ayeka?'-'Where are you?' Why did G-d Ask such a question when He is
Everywhere and Knows all!? And don't tell me Rashi's explanation, that
G-d only Wanted to Open up a conversation with Adam with these words;
I know that explanation already."
The Alter Rebbe looked him in the eyes and said: "Do you believe that
the Torah is eternal and is relevant to each person at all times?" The
minister answered "yes." Continued the Rebbe: "Then what G-d is
Telling Adam, is really being told to each and every one of us, at all
times. 'Where are you?'
Each person is allotted a certain amount of years, days, and hours in
this world in order to do what Hashem wants of us. Are we fulfilling
our mission?" The Rebbe gazed at the minister and continued: "You have
lived such and such amount of years," (the Rebbe said exactly the age
of the minister), "what have you done in your lifetime? Have you done
good deeds to others? Have you been fulfilling your mission?" The
minister thanked the Rebbe for the explanation, and left deeply
impressed by his encounter.

As we reach Yom Kippur, this call to each and every one of us "Ayeka?
Where are you?" should be contemplated. Have I been fulfilling, or
trying to fulfill, my role in this world? the purpose of my unique
Jewish soul here? Many have the custom of taking on a new resolution
for themselves on Yom Kippur. Maybe lighting candles Fri. afternoon if
your a girl, or putting Tefillin as a boy. Maybe saying Shema before I
sleep and when I awake. Maybe giving 10% of my earnings to charity as
our sages teach. Any 'Mitzva' that will sensitize myself to my soul's
mission. Good luck to all of you! May you be inscribed and sealed for
a sweet year, in all physical and spiritual matters, together as 1.

-Daniel