The Previous Rebbe told a story he heard from his father, the Rebbe Rashab about the Alter Rebbe. It took place when the Alter Rebbe was being interrogated under the charge of a capital offence against the Crown.
One interrogator was a high government minister who was very learned in Torah and the ways of Judaism. He asked the Alter Rebbe why Hashem called to Adam, “Where are you?” After all, of course Hashem knew exactly where Adam was.
The Alter Rebbe answered that Rashi had already given the answer to that question. The interrogator said that he was aware of Rashi’s explanation, but he wanted to know how the Rebbe explained it.
The Alter Rebbe answered that Hashem asks everyone if they know why they were created, what they have accomplished so far in life and what still needs to be done-- “Where are you?”
Our Rebbe tells us there is another account of this story which reveals a new detail. The Alter Rebbe added to his answer that the question is asked of a person who has reached a certain age, and he mentioned the exact age of the minister who was conducting the interrogation.
The Previous Rebbe concluded recounting the story by adding that the question of the interrogator and the answer of the Alter Rebbe saved the Rebbe’s life. He felt such exquisite pleasure from putting himself in danger to defend the Torah of the Baal Shem Tov and the Magid that his soul was ready to leave his body!
But when he reminded himself that Hashem asks each person “Where are you?” “Do you know why you are in the world?” And “have you completed your mission?” He understood that his soul needed to stay in his body to allow him to accomplish his designated holy tasks.
