Every story told by a Rebbe, a faithful Shepard, especially one about a Rebbe, contains a teaching for his flock and through them to the rest of the Jewish nation and the world.
Each person must take note of the question Hashem asks his soul and through it his body and animal soul-- “Where are you?”
It is asked of each person especially a Jewish person, from the biggest of the big to the smallest of the small. Each according to who he is and what level he is on.
One is asked where he is, to wake him from the state of allowing his soul to expire in ecstasy (like the sons of Aaron who brought a fire before Hashem and were themselves consumed). The question is asked to help him accomplish his mission of making this world a dwelling place for Hashem.
Another is asked “where are you?” to remind him not to be lost in the coarse pleasures of this world to the point that he loses sight of his privilege and responsibility to serve Hashem through prayer and Torah and Mitzvahs.
The only difference between them is the intent of the question. But we are all being asked “Where are you?” to help us fulfill our true raison d’etra, our mission of serving Hashem. And being asked the question and hearing it sincerely gives us strength to accomplish the mission Hashem intended, happily and wholeheartedly.
[Sicha Yud Tes Kislev 5718]
