It came from out of nowhere, a soul that had been seeking something not articulated since its creation. By some divine plan, more complicated than any human hand could conjure, this unique soul found its way to its Jewish roots. I learned of this miraculous journey from a colleague, who spoke of it in tones of awe. Seems he was contacted by a young lady who had come across his name in some local publication. Problem was that she was trying to learn of the Jewish religion and, living in a small community, was finding it hard to get information. The Rabbi asked if she was in fact Jewish and was assured that such was not the case; it was only that she was intrigued by an ancient people who had stood fast to their ancient beliefs despite being in the Diaspora for so long.

Well, in truth such requests are not all that rare and the rabbi had plenty of addresses to give that would offer the information needed. In the course of the conversation some interesting facts emerged: that the young lady had suffered ill health for many years but was now on the mend and that she had family who had converted to Judaism some years ago.

As Yom Kippur arrives we should all feel so much closer to these seeking souls

After that first contact the rabbi didn’t hear from her again until some time later, and it is here that things really become interesting. This inquisitive mind did not cease searching out our beliefs and customs. She went from one place to the next, asking, analysing, wanting ever more. Having been close to death she was extremely spiritual and couldn’t find peace within herself. As her knowledge grew so did her feeling that at some basic level this Jewish nation was calling out to her soul. She spoke to other Rabbis and after some time she decided that she had to become part of the people of Israel at all levels. She wanted to convert fully and felt that until she did so her soul would not achieve harmony. She was soon taking lessons and becoming more and more involved in assimilating a Torah lifestyle into her daily life. She wrote to my colleague to tell him of her progress and said that she prayed she would soon be counted amongst the nation that Hashem had chosen as His own. Of course, the Rabbi was fascinated by her determination, but not ever having met the lady he just filed the email away after answering it with his blessings. Shortly before Rosh Hashonoh the rabbi learnt of an extraordinary development, one that answered many of the questions that he had.

You will recall that there is a member of the family that had converted some years ago, and that person was having a conversation with the mother of our heroine about her wanting to become Jewish. “Of course I am not all that surprised you know because my mother’s mother was Jewish as well”. Stunned silence! What? Your mother was the daughter of a Jewish woman? Sure, didn’t you know? My grandma was Jewish, married to some sort of rabbi, and they were annihilated in the war. They had three children, two boys and a girl. The boys were killed as well and the daughter grew up in a Catholic family and married accordingly; she was my mom.” Well this certainly set things alight, and in a short time all this was documented to the amazement of the girl’s family. After all, they never thought they were Jewish in any sense of the word. The soul that had been so restless was in fact seeking to come home, to bring a tikun to that great grandmother who had been taken from this earth before she could raise her young. Imagine the thoughts that went through that young girl’s head when she learnt of all this? Think what a Kiddush Hashem this has been for all those who know her? The rabbi telling me the story smiled and said that in this day and age, where thousands of Yiddishe souls are just floundering, nothing can be taken for granted. We have no idea what Hashem’s plan is, nor from whence the next amazing homecoming will spring.

As Yom Kippur arrives we should all feel so much closer to these seeking souls, especially as this most awesome day starts with the haunting melody of Kol Nidrei. It is incredible that no matter where they find themselves, Jewish souls are set aflutter when this ancient prayer is recited. It runs up and down one’s spine with its deep emotional call that reaches into our very depths. Yet, in fact it is nothing more than a legal announcement that somehow allows all Jewish souls, no matter how far they have drifted, to join together at this awesome moment.

It may well be that we all feel a frisson because in each of us there is a point which has wandered off and which seeks to return. It may well be that we are awakened by these holy words in the knowledge that there are souls that are so special and holy yet lost in darkness. We weep with the knowledge that so many of us are in golus, souls within our communities and others lost for the moment. Yet Hashem wants us all, every one of us, to share, to be part of and care for one another.

That young soul has found its way home, validating the prayers of her great grandmother who probably wept as she lit her Shabbos candles, murmuring a prayer for her unborn future generations. All this is part of the mystery and grandeur that is Hashem’s people and it is on Yom Kippur that our future will be shaped, may it be with peace and true light.