Your portion, your purpose

We all wonder at some point: What am I doing here? What is my purpose? It’s a legitimate human question, and the answer isn’t always obvious. But the Torah gives us a powerful hint, tucked into a story that might seem ancient and far removed from our daily lives: how the Land of Israel was divided among the twelve tribes.

Each tribe didn’t pick where they wanted to live. They didn’t vote, negotiate, or debate. Instead, the land was divided by lottery. One box held the names of the tribes, the other held names of different regions in Israel. When the names were drawn, each tribe was matched with its designated land. Simple? Not exactly.

What’s fascinating is the message behind this process. A lottery feels random, but in this case, it was anything but. This wasn’t just about assigning land, it was about revealing something deeper—which tribe truly belonged in which part of the land. And even more so, that this “random” assignment actually created a spiritual connection—almost like a soul bond—between the people and the land they received.

That same idea applies to each of us. Before we were born, our souls were given a “portion” in this world; a mission and a set of circumstances. That’s why your journey won’t look like anyone else’s—it’s not supposed to. We didn’t choose our families, our personalities, our struggles, or even many of the situations we face. In a way, it’s like a spiritual lottery. But just like the division of the land, it’s not random. It’s precise. Your unique life is your personal piece of the world, and it was given to you on purpose.

And it doesn’t always make sense. Sometimes we look at other people and think, “Why do they have it easier?” or “Why do I have to deal with this specific issue?”

But that’s where the concept of “lottery” teaches us something profound. Your path in life may not always follow logic—it’s guided by a higher wisdom, even if you don’t understand it right now.

Just like each tribe had to settle its own portion of land, each of us has a piece of the world to fix, to elevate, to light up. And when everyone tends to their unique role, the world moves closer to better times.

But how can you tell what your mission might be? One powerful clue is this: what’s hardest for you?

Strangely, the things we find the most difficult are often the very areas we’re meant to grow in. If there’s a mitzvah you struggle with—maybe it’s patience, honesty, keeping Shabbat, or even just staying hopeful during hard times—don’t automatically assume it’s not “your thing.”

In fact, it might be exactly your thing. Your personal mission. That’s why it’s so hard—the inner resistance comes precisely because your soul has something to achieve there.

Think of it this way: If you’re trying to open a locked door and it’s stuck, that doesn’t mean you’re at the wrong door. It might mean what’s behind it is important. And it’s worth pushing through.

The comforting part is that if you were given this “portion”—this area of life, this soul-assignment—you were also given the tools to succeed. The spiritual lottery didn’t just give you the job; it gave you the strength to carry it out. You might not feel it every day, but the potential is there, ready to be tapped into.

So instead of asking “Why is this so hard?” ask “What is this teaching me about my mission?” Your toughest challenges aren’t signs that you’re lost. They might be signs that you’re right on track.