Divine Connections

ALEEZA BEN SHALOM

The idea of soulmates has captured people’s hearts and minds across cultures and religions for thousands of years. This concept suggests that everyone has a partner, chosen by a higher power, with whom we are meant to be bonded not only in this life but also in the afterlife. The notion inherently implies the existence of a Divine Creator who orchestrates our destinies. Some interpret the search for a partner as a God-provided opportunity to refine our character and help us become better people and partners for our soulmates.

Ancient wisdom (1) tells of a Roman matron who approached several religious leaders and asked how long it took God to create the world? They responded that it took six days, as written in the Book of Genesis. “If God can do all that in just six days, what has God been occupied with since then?” she retorted. The sages responded that God has been making matches between couples.

The matron, wanting to prove how easy matchmaking was, gathered her maidservants and manservants, lined them up and, with the point of her finger, made matches. That night, she was awakened by the sounds of screaming and fighting. The next day, she returned to the sages saying, “I now know that your God is true,” confirming their claim that matchmaking is a Divine art.

Matchmaking is one of the oldest professions, having endured for thousands of years because it has a profound impact on people’s lives. The process of bringing two individuals together in a harmonious union is an incredibly challenging task. The need for Divine guidance and intervention suggests the presence of a higher power. For many, this seemingly Divine “Hand” behind their relationships is a source of hope, inspiration, and deepened connection to the spiritual realm.

People can have a hard time seeing themselves and others accurately. Sometimes they focus on the wrong things. Finding one’s spouse, let alone one’s soulmate, isn’t an easy or intuitive undertaking. Most matchmakers feel a calling, that they’re doing God’s work. We see ourselves as God’s helpers, because we believe that all matches are made in heaven.

In the world of matchmaking, it’s not just physical attraction that matters but rather, finding partners who are spiritually and emotionally compatible. Matchmakers look for people whose unique character traits, values, and skills complement and enhance each other. This approach acknowledges the inherent value and potential of each individual, and recognizes that each person has something special to offer that is a gift from God.

So, while the concept of soulmates and matchmaking might not be universally accepted, it remains a powerful symbol of unity and the Divine. The idea that two people from different backgrounds and experiences can come together successfully for any significant length of time is a tremendous testament to the power of faith, hope, and love. And even more so if it lasts a lifetime. Many people see these perfect pairs as a profound proof there’s a God.