The first chapter of the Pentateuch tells of the fall of the first man, Adam. Having tasted the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, Adam felt base passions within himself previously unknown to him and realized that from then on he must cover his nakedness.
Suddenly, he heard the voice of the Creator: "And God called to Adam and said to him, 'Where are you?'" These words from the Torah are connected to the Hasidic story of Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the author of the book "Likutei Amarim" (Tanya).
In the Peter and Paul Fortress, where Rabbi Shneur Zalman was imprisoned on a false denunciation, the chief of the gendarmerie came one day to interrogate him, accused of the most serious political crimes.
Entering his cell, the high-ranking gendarme saw before him an old man lost in thought, his face radiating holy nobility and wisdom. Being a Bible scholar, the chief of the gendarmerie turned to the Rabbi:
"I would like to ask you about a certain passage in Scripture."
"Ask whatever you want," the Rabbi replied.
"Explain to me the verse: 'And God called to Adam and asked him, 'Where are you?' Didn't the Almighty know where Adam was?"
"Do you believe that the Torah is eternal and will remain unchanged in all times and in all generations?" the Rabbi asked.
"Yes, I believe so."
"Then listen. The meaning of the verse you read to me is this: all the time, the Almighty calls to every person ("adam" means "man" in Hebrew) and asks them, 'Where are you? What place do you occupy in the world?' A person is given a certain lifespan. Every day, they must do some good deed for God and mankind." Think about how many years you've lived and how many good deeds you've done in your life. You've lived, for example… (here the Rabbi gave the Chief of Gendarmes's exact age). What have you accomplished in your life? Have you ever done anyone any good?
The Chief of Gendarmes was amazed. He placed his hand on the Rabbi's shoulder and exclaimed, "Bravo!"